FC Cincinnati, in collaboration with TSG Hoffenheim, held their second annual goalkeeping development programming night at Mercy Health Training Center on Monday night.
As part of the ongoing partnership between FC Cincinnati and TSG Hoffenheim, the two co-founders of the Common Value Club Alliance – which aims to take an integrated approach to identifying talents and promoting holistic development pathways together in addition to creating societal impact – launched a development program for goalkeepers and coaches in the Queen City.
More than 40 selected coaches from local clubs and regional college programs attended the free goalkeeping clinic and demonstration at FC Cincinnati's Milford training complex spearheaded by FC Cincinnati’s Director of Goalkeeping Paul Rogers and Philipp Birker, the German Bundesliga side’s U19 goalkeeper coach.
“The idea is to get into the community,” Rogers said. “We had college coaches, youth coaches, pro coaches – a great selection and some great questions. And really just getting FCC goalkeeping out in the community and seeing what we can do for them and what support they can give us as well.”
The second annual event saw almost triple the turnout from year one, as both goalkeeper coaches gave in-depth presentations regarding training methodology, development philosophy, and goalkeeping tactics.
“We had over 40 people here this time compared to about 15 last time,” said Birker. “I’m really happy that we have so many people for the event, it shows how Paul and [FC Cincinnati 2 Goalkeeper Coach] Ryan [Coulter], they do really well here.”
During the theory part of the session, local coaches got an exclusive look into the philosophies of both clubs and were shown some of the traits for modern goalkeepers at the highest level of American and German soccer. The seminar included an active Q&A session, as well as demonstrations from coaches and FC Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati 2, and FCC Academy goalkeepers.
Following the presentations, Birker led a training session on the field, demonstrating for coaches the philosophical and physical setup and methodology of a goalkeeper training session. The event was capped with a tour of FCC's Mercy Health Training Center and behind-the-scenes access to the practice facility in Milford.
“These events are important to us to have a connection to the community,” Rogers said. “I mean, a lot of these coaches are seeing players that we might want in the academy. They’re coaches that we can help that can then help their goalkeepers. They’re FCC fans. How many of them said they were season-ticket holders? I would say at least a third. How many of them said they come and watch goalkeeping warmups for game days, at least a handful.
“So what I want to get out of them is a connection to the community. Part of myself being here and obviously working for a club that wants to be a community-based club is to have a relationship with youth and college coaches in this community. This session is on the same level as the pro camp we did in the winter that again was not just to do with goalkeepers around the country from college, but also from colleges here in our community. We’ve got loads of programs around us, loads of youth clubs around us, and we want to be part of that and we want to be helping the goalkeeping coaches that are in the area.”
University of Dayton Women’s Goalkeeping Coach Matt Tipton
“It was a great to experience to actually hear from Phillip. I think it’s beneficial for any coach and especially a goalkeeper coach to get a different perspective, a different way to look at something and a different way to look at something a different way. Somethings explained by a coach of Phillip’s caliber, just being able to hear him, listen to him, watch him is invaluable.”
Wright State University Men’s Assistant Coach Adam Maloney
“I really like the detail that Phillip gets into, even as far as finding a rhythm when you’re planting your feet. You don’t really find that in a lot of goalkeeper coaches, and I think what Paul and Ryan are building here as far as this community and bringing people like Phillip in is a really valuable resource. I just really want to be around the environment as much as I can.”
About the Common Value Club Alliance
The mission of the Common Value Club Alliance, CVCA, is to create a holistic development platform for the partners that promotes excellence on and off the field, while adding value to the people, the planet, and society: Three clubs. Three continents. One mission.
The CVCA is open to expend its network with like-minded sports clubs as well as governmental institutions, NGOs, corporations and other organizations.
