International hockey coach visits Gibraltar

SPORT continues to play an important role in Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Hockey Association (GHA) prepared a three day goalkeeping and coaching course to kick start 2017. 

Hockey goalkeeper coaching is often a neglected area, but not for the GHA which is why they brought over Graham Mansell-Grace, known as the Panda and the @GoaleeGuru to coach interested goalies.

He is an expert in his field and the GHA were extremely lucky to obtain his services. He is extremely busy working with GB and England Hockey as a consultant, also he is a performance coach at Loughborough University as a consultant to the Women’s Hockey programme.

With three busy days of coaching the GHA qualified coaching staff and the National and Club goalkeepers the coaching started not long after Graham had stepped onto the Rock. Starting off in the classroom, the first and only session lasted 30 minutes, then it was straight onto the training pitch.  Whilst on the pitch the participants were introduced into the stance, kicking, lunging, pad saves at knee height and moving efficiently in the circle.

The GHA is investing in its’ players and the next course is the Level 1 coaching qualification from January 20 to 22 which is already fully booked.  This course will be delivered by Michel Kinnen who is the Belgium U21 coach.