Keepers Union: meet our 2018/19 goalies

Loughborough has now been my home for 3 years and in that time I have learnt so much not only about futsal but about myself as well. Throughout my time I have experienced some world renowned coaching as well as some fantastic international team mates. The fact that Loughborough encompasses both students and externals gives the club a unique atmosphere unknown to most futsal clubs in the UK. To be a goalkeeper at Loughborough is a challenge as throughout the clubs rich history it has produced multiple international keepers that have gone to play abroad, and although privileged to be playing for the super league team this year the shoes to fill are of the greatest caliber.   

My futsal experience at Loughborough so far has been really enjoyable. There are always people there to help you to improve if you ask and this allows you to move up through the teams and play at a higher level, which I got to experience and made my first year that much better. The coaches here are really dedicated to helping you improve as a player and are very approachable if you need them for any reason futsal related or not. My first year playing here was so much fun as the club as a whole is really sociable and it helps you make lots of new friends within your team as well as from other teams too. Everyone within the club is really competitive which helps to bring the best out of you, which helps us to win more games which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.

I am now playing in my second spell at Loughborough futsal. In my first 5 years at the club was as a student whilst I was studying my sports science degree, I captained the BUCS 1s team to be champions. I also had success with the national league team reaching the grand finals of the super and semi finalists in the FA Futsal Cup.

Since my first spell I have played for Birmingham and Derby Futsal and have now returned as an alumini for the 2018-19 season. In my first spell and since returning, the Loughborough futsal programme has grown stronger and also have maintained the success as well.  The quality of players has never been an issue with the constant turnover of in take and this has helped maintain the high standards that are set throughout the whole university. I feel that it is always an honour to represent Loughborough and the facilities, quality of coaching, the off-field support and hours of work by staff all help contribute towards the professional status. Since starting futsal in 2010 for Loughborough, I am committed to train and play to the best I can and help play my part as a player towards the Loughborough Futsal team and Loughborough Universit.

I started playing futsal in 2014 through the Leeds scholarship programme and straight away fell in love with the game because it’s so fast paced and as a GK you experience action more often than in football. I moved to York in 2015 and that’s when I realised that I wanted to be the best in the sport and help to get futsal more recognition in the UK so more players could cross over into futsal and enjoy it like I do. It was at York that I heard about the IFA through some friends I played with at Leeds and after I’d seen their quick development I decided that it was the best thing for me to join the IFA since it also allowed me to pursue my interest in coaching by studying a BSc in Sports Coaching at Loughborough University as well getting to socialise with my old friends, giving me the perfect platform to excel both in my studies and as a futsal GK. These factors contributed to me being selected for the England National team at both U19 and U23 Level with the focus on developing to become a senior international. Balancing studying, coaching and elite sport with my social life has been a difficult challenge but with the help of supportive senior members of the students club (Sam Mattocks and Idafe Perez Jimenez) and experienced coaches (João Almeida and Jose) I’ve been able to lead a lifestyle which has suited me and allowed me to find the balance between socialising and studying. I hope to finish my degree with the highest possible grade and to be closer to a full international call up, having gained many new friends and new skills over my 3 years here.

Loughborough has always been a place I’ve wanted to go and to have this opportunity to not only study but to play futsal is amazing. Loughborough Futsal Club are very well organised and professional in what they do. It’s a good environment to be in as a player because the coaches listen to you and want you to hit the highest level that you possibly can. This is a once in a lift time opportunity and I’m glad I took it.

I started playing Futsal in 2016, through the Southampton Futsal scholarship and very quickly became passionate about the sport and came to the conclusion that I really wanted to become the best possible player I can possibly be. So I went to Madrid for the Inter Movistar campus in 2017 and also 2018 , it was by far the most surreal experience playing abroad and learning the Spanish futsal culture which has definitely made an huge impact on my development as a keeper, the trip abroad has also blessed me to meet Loughborough representives who were also taking part in the camp, which then helped me build the contact with Loughborough and the IFA. Since Moving up to Loughborough I couldn’t be more happy to have been welcomed with open arms by everyone and really become part of the Loughborough family, which is also a huge part of my development because I enjoy working with my team mates and the Head Coach. The training sessions you get provided here are incredible because getting coached by someone that has international coaching experience really has an impact on you because he will teach you different ways to play that you would never have been given if you just have a regular coach. My ultimate goal throughout my years in Loughborough is to represent my country which the help of the IFA and Loughborough Futsal Club I believe is achievable.

When I joined Loughborough Futsal  I didn’t know anything about futsal but I still received a very warm welcome. The coaches try their best to develop each and every player to becoming the best that they can be. Being a keeper was really difficult as you won’t always get game time but the coaches still put me in games so I could experience how a futsal game is. Training is hard especially the keeper trainings but these are all necessary in order for us to improve. If I struggle to learn something correctly, my teammates always try to help correct the mistakes that I make in training or in games. Since I started I’ve learned a lot from the team and especially our coaches, this team is like a big family and I’m thankful for this opportunity that I was given.