Pole runs clinic for aspiring keepers

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PORT Moresby City Strikers goalkeeper Ishmael Pole facilitated a three-day goalkeeping clinic last week for students at Sir John Guise Stadium’s multipurpose field with support from his National Soccer League club.
He said a good number of students had registered to participate, but due to the closure of the Bisini Soccer Ground earlier last week and a lack of communication, only Killian Maino and Breyton Kassman attended.

“ Seeing the progress of these two boys and their interest, I am thrilled. So I will continue what I’ve started.”
Breyton Kassman is a Grade 10 student at St Joseph’s Catholic College.
Killian Maino is a Grade 8 student at Port Moresby International School.

“We worked on the basics of goalkeeping on Wednesday then continued today and I think they both have the potential to become goalkeepers in the future,” the Papua New Guinea goalkeeper told The National last Thursday.
“Breyton’s technique is fine, he just needs more work on the basics of goalkeeping.
“Killian just needs to cut his weight down, but he has a nice build for a goalkeeper.
“I didn’t get the number of participants I had expected.

Fourteen-year-old Killian Maino making a save.

“But I am happy with both boys, at least I’ve passed on my knowledge to them.
“I believe they will have an impact on which team or association they decide to play with in the future, they could be the next national goalkeeper.
“I’ve really enjoyed the clinic so far.
“If we have more participants, that’ll be great. Otherwise, I’ll work with the two boys.
“On Wednesday, I started them off with the basics of catching, goalkeeping is about catching.
“Today, we worked on saving ground balls, mid-height and collapse saves.

From left: Killian Maino, Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Ishmael Pole, Breyton Kassman and Port Moresby Strikers reserve No.1 Ila Rova after the clinic.

“Their reflexes are fine, if I continue this for another week or two, they’ll learn a lot.
“But I’ve encouraged them to keep playing when they go back to school and keep practising what they’ve learnt.”
Pole said this was his first goalkeeping clinic in the nation’s capital and had plans to run another one.
“I am considering running one on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, but that is yet to be confirmed,” the former Hekari United custodian said.
“My club has supported me with equipment to use.
“Seeing the progress of these two boys and their interest, I am thrilled.
“So I will continue what I’ve started.”