English FA scrap Level 1 & 2 Goalkeeper Coaching Courses

In the letter, seen by Pro7 Soccer, Director of FA Education Lucy Pearson stated “I understand that people have felt left in the dark as to what is happening and I apologise most sincerely for that. The on/off nature of the last 12 months has made having a single plan impossible as the landscape has been in a constant state of flux, however that does not excuse leaving people unclear as to what is happening.”

The letter goes on to state that the Level 1 and 2 in Coaching Goalkeeping, and Futsal courses, are being discontinued. This means that there will be no affiliate [coaching] workforce required for these courses going forward.

Young goalkeepers are frequently the forgotten players in grassroots football as the coaches leading youth teams have to balance the needs of many young players, most of whom are of course, outfield players. Goalkeepers occupy a completely unique position in football and the technical, physical and psychological skills that they require are very different from outfield players. The FA Level 1 and 2 in coaching goalkeepers use to provide coaches who maybe had never played in goal, a great understanding of the demands of the position and the capability to better integrate goalkeepers in their training sessions. Coaches in England are now left wondering where they will get the education required to coach their young goalkeepers.