You have to hand it to Henfield FC youth teams; they don’t fall short when it comes to ambition! There’s certainly nothing at all short about their latest acquisition; all 6’5” of goalkeeping ‘Super Coach’ Tom Betts! Tom is a former eight-times England International at U18s level, previously attached to Brentford and Brighton, with discussions currently in afoot with a top-four Premiership club looking to be a suitor for his services.
Goalkeeper-specific coaching is normally off the radar of most non-attached youth teams, let alone having a coach of this calibre on-board at grass-roots level. This initiative is considered a major coup for Henfield and one seen as certain to reap future rewards.
Weekly goalkeeper-only coaching sessions have already commenced over and above normal squad training and this programme is set to continue through the summer in preparation for the forthcoming 2013/14 season. School holiday workshops also on the cards.
Pictured with Tom are the U9 and U10 teams goalkeeping pool, expressing their enthusiasm after completing their inaugural session.
Andy - Henfield U9s Coach