Sutherland Shire has produced its fair share of top quality goalkeepers in recent years and Ron Tilsed believes there could be more on the way.
Tilsed, a former goalkeeper coach with Sutherland Sharks, is back in the area working as a goalkeeper coach with the Sutherland Shire Football Association.
The former Arsenal, Portsmouth and England youth team keeper was part of Sydney FC’s school holiday clinic at the Harrie Dening Centre, Kareela last week, with 82 young players taking part over three days.
Tilsed worked with more than 20 goalkeepers at the clinics and said he saw an abundance of quality.
And he should know, having coached shire products Tom Glover (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Duncan (Newcastle Jets), Matt Sutton (AIS), Mitchell Evans (Sydney FC) and Sharks veteran No.1 Nathan Denham throughout his career.
“Most of the kids I saw were right in that development age of 10 to 13-years-old and it’s a real good age to get kids,” he said.
“It seems to be the age of keepers that clubs are looking to develop.
“One I saw, Jack Doran from the Loftus club, he was 13-years-old and stood out all week. He had a lot of attributes that will help him as he develops. He’s very good at basketball so he gets all the high balls with ease. His handling was very good.
“I see enough potential for him to go a long way with the success I’ve had working with keepers over my career.”
Tilsed has also started weekly development sessions for keepers as part of his role with SSFA.
Details: SSFA
