REGGAE Boyz Captain Andre Blake has deemed his first staging of the two-day goalkeeper clinic at UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence in Mona, on December 14 and 15, as a success.

Over 20 goalkeepers across the Manning and daCosta Cup competitions, n addition to two women’s goalkeepers from Reinas Academy, attended the invitational clinic to receive world-class training from several coaches.

The goalkeeper coaches included Blake’s Philadelphia Union Coach Phil Wheddon, Jamaica’s Under-20 goalkeeper coach Andrew Sewell, Reinas Academy’s Neo Oxford, Kingston College’s Robert Beckford, and Boyz’s goalkeeper Jahmali Waite.

For Andre Blake, he hopes the participants leave the clinic better than they came.

“The commitment and focus from all the goalkeepers was good, and the hope is that they will return to their clubs and schools realising what they need to work on to get to the next level.

“Playing at the highest level teaches you a lot, and this is what I’m sharing. We may find gems slipping through the cracks here so if we can find them and help them, that’s good for our country and their personal and professional development,” he said.

The clinic covered the areas of ball-handling, diving, cutbacks, repositioning, functional play, and much more.

“Over the two days we did a lot of footwork because goalkeeping is changing, and if you can’t use your feet you’re at a disadvantage. So, if we can get them into that from now we can set them up for success,” Blake reasoned.

Clarendon College’s starting goalkeeper Roshae Burrell said the clinic “was a great experience”.

“I learned a lot from Andre Blake, he’s a good trainer, and Coach Phil is a vibe; he is a good coach,” noted Burrell.

For Hydel High’s Tajarie Leesays he hopes to apply what he learnt over the two days.

“The clinic has been great; I learnt a lot. And all that they teach us, I intend to put it on the training ground and the pitch going forward,” he noted.

National Under 20 Coach Andrew Sewell was both a teacher and a student.

“The experience was pretty wonderful, I must say; it was top-notch and professional. The clinic was well-needed, and I learned a lot as well. I must commend Mr Andre Blake for this initiative,” he stated.

The Andre Blake Goalkeeper Clinic was made possible with the kind support of the JFF, ISSA, Sagicor Foundation, Spectrum Systems, PrintWare Tech, TruShake, Powerade, WATA, Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Leep Marketing, and Uhlsport.