“Goalkeeping doesn’t build character, it reveals it”
My heart races with adrenaline as I play out every possible scenario in my mind. Left or right? Top or bottom? Can they match pace with the height? I position my body on the line, bend my knees, raise my arms and slowly raise my head to face my attacker. "Goalkeeper, are you ready?" I nod once; take a deep breath and watch. A flash of white to my top right; I lunge with both hands and the white blur hits my right glove diverting over the goal, into the fence. I exhale, realising the whole time I had held my breath. SAVE! I drop my gloves and race to my team to celebrate, ripping off my helmet as I go.
For any goalkeeper, saving a crucial goal like a penalty flick gives the ultimate thrill. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence, one person willing to put their body on the line for their team at any moment. Personally, being there for my team in a way that no one else can gives me that high. As I am only new to this position, it’s not all about goal saving, but the effort I put in and how I support my team.
I started playing hockey when I was encouraged by a close friend to give it a try. The funny thing about it, looking back, is my first game I was placed in as a goalkeeper. We lost the game 0-13; I did not play in goals for another 7 years, yet I continued to play hockey in that time. I could only imagine what my skills would be today if I had taken up the challenge from that first game and become a goalkeeper. Now that I am, I can not look back; Season to season, I try to mentally and physically prepare for each game like it will be my last, and my best.
During the season, goalkeeping dominates not only my spare time but my every thought process. I have been known to turn down holidays, events and functions knowing that I had hockey the next day. Being passionate and committed to my club, team and position is what drives this blog; there is not just one thing I love about goalkeeping, it’s a package deal.
