Canada will host England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 quarterfinal on Saturday.
Jack Stern, goalkeeper coach with the Impact Academy took this opportunity to meet with Lee Kendall, goalkeeper coach of the English women’s national team when they were in Montreal to play Colombia on June 17.
“It’s important to me to meet other goalkeeper coaches,” said Jack Stern. “We share ideas and have a good understanding in the importance of the goalkeepers union. When someone like Lee Kendall comes to Montreal, it was important to meet.”
During the night, both coaches discussed the difference between goalkeepers coaching for an academy or a club, compared to a national team. The former is to focus more on developing players and on the performance on a full season, while the latter emphasizes the next game and the specific tournament.
“The work you do with goalkeepers doesn’t change much,” explained Stern. “The differences are between the international level and the club. But the basis stays the same.”
Stern followed the Women’s World Cup attentively with a specific attention on the goalkeepers in this tournament.
“I’ve seen a massive improvement in women’s football,” added Stern. “I watched games 5-10 years ago and I remember being disappointed by the goalkeeping level. But it improved hugely. I don’t think there is a difference technically between men and women. You can improve the same. It’s only physically that there is a difference, and that is normal. I have been impressed in this World Cup by the progress that has been made by the goalkeepers.”
