SOME people believe attackers are the most crucial players on a football team. After all, they are the primary goalscorers and, undeniably, deserve loads credit. However, they are not the only ones who significantly impact the result of a match as the contribution of goalkeepers must also be recognised.

So many times they are all that’s standing between a favourable result and absolute heartbreak, with that acrobatic dive to make a fingertip save over the bar or around the upright, the wily command of the 18-yard box, or the manic bravery to thwart an attacker in a one-on-one breakaway.

They are the team’s final line of defence, working tirelessly to guarantee they can perform at their best.

Andre Blake is one such athlete who has claimed his fair share of global fame. The Jamaican for years has been the number one choice for Major League Soccer (MLS) team Philadelphia Union and also captains his country’s senior national team, the Reggae Boyz.

Blake has won multiple honours in his present profession. With his Philadelphia Union team he won the Suporters’ Shield in 2020; the MLS Cup runner-up in 2022, and the US Open Cup runner-up in 2014, 2015, and 2018.

Blake was a member of the Jamaica team which won the Caribbean Cup in 2014; was runner-up in 2017; and which finished second in the Concacaf Gold Cups in 2015 and 2017.

Not to mention individual successes. He won MLS Golden Glove in 2020; MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016, 2020, and 2022; as well as the Gold Cup Golden Glove in 2017.

As a way of giving back Blake, 33, is conducting a two-day goalkeepers clinic at UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on December 14 and 15. On both days the clinic will run from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Blake said the clinic, which will be hosted by Andre Blake Foundation, is aimed at developing the tactical ability of local goalkeepers, thus helping to harness Jamaica’s abundant talent. He said it will provide participants a first-hand look at what it is like to go to the next level.

“This is something that I have always wanted to do and it is finally coming to fruition. I think that this is something that is needed in the country, and to whom what is given is what is expected and yes, this is a way for me to give back. Exciting times are head and I am really looking forward to it,” Blake told the Jamaica Observer.

“Right now we are looking at the Manning Cup and the daCosta Cup schools and so we are going to invite two goalkeepers from the top eight schools in the competition for the clinic. This is something that can grow but it is a start going forward and, again, exciting times are ahead. We are trying to take a look and identify some potential and see where we can go from here,” he said.

“We are just starting up and we are going to focus more on quality than quantity. We are going to start with a smaller number that is manageable [so] that we can really get to impose ourselves on these kids and really share the knowledge that we have and the experience.

“I think that it is definitely a good start but, as I said before, it is something that I am looking [to] grow and, hopefully, in the future we can get to 150 kids. But I think this is a really good number to start and see where we go from here,” Blake explained.

“Gear will be provided — gloves and all of that — and so they [the participants] will not be going into their pockets for anything.

“My goalkeeper coach from the Philadelphia Union will be here giving assistance as well as some local coaches as well. I will be there giving assistance as well,” he added.

Sponsors of the clinic include Sagicor, UNL Sport, Specturm System, Powerade, TruShake, Courtyard Marriott, Jamaica Football Federation, and Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA).