Often dubbed the last line of defence, the role of goalkeepers is one of the most demanding and rapidly evolving areas on a football pitch. The responsibility of goalkeeper coaches from youth level through to the first team is an increasingly important role in the development of South Yorkshire’s future stars between the sticks, demonstrating a deep understanding of the modern game, as well as an ability to show leadership and resilience.
James Webber-Shaw, Doncaster Rovers Belles’ Head Goalkeeper coach, has been working at the club for two years, overseeing coaching and development from the club’s under 9s, through to the First XI.
“My ethos for coaching very much revolves around enjoyment and seeing my goalkeepers with smiles on their faces,” said Webber-Shaw. “As a coach, if one of my goalkeepers makes a mistake, I put the blame on myself because I don’t want their enjoyment of the game to stop or diminish in any way.
“If I can see them come off the pitch, even after a defeat, with a smile on their faces, that’s, to me, what matters the most and the ultimate goal for me.”
Goalkeeping is one of the toughest and most spotlighted positions on the pitch, and can be the area where blame falls when a goal is conceded. As a result, confidence can sometimes wear thin, especially when a side loses heavily or concedes regularly.
“Confidence is tricky to instil into someone, but it’s about how we as coaches communicate. Communication is tricky as a coach to a player, and so on the sidelines, if something hasn’t gone right, I might stick an arm up and try to reset their mindset, because as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, everyone knows you have made a mistake.
“If a mistake happens or something goes wrong, I will wait until after the drill or session to talk about it and encourage my goalkeepers to tell me where they think they went wrong or what they could improve.
“The communication between me and my goalkeeper is always something I encourage, because, if I highlight an error too early, that’s all my goalkeeper will think about for the next hour or for the rest a game.”
The Tactical Side of Goalkeeping
“We knew that Middlesborough liked to play with a low block and sit deep to play long balls over the top or deliver crosses early into the box. We worked midweek to prepare our goalkeepers for those game-like scenarios.
“I think the role of a goalkeeper has evolved from how it used to be even a few years ago. The role now is almost as an eleventh player and a fifth centre half whose role is to be able to switch the ball on a sixpence 40 yards across the pitch.
“I do feel we cannot lose sight of the ultimate role of a goalkeeper which is to keep the ball out of the net. For goalkeepers the speed of the game and the pace at which players strike the ball, it’s a constantly evolving role and something which goalkeepers and us as coaches are always adapting to.”
Coaching provides opportunities to work with some of the brightest young talents in the game. Doncaster Rovers Belles, although they have struggled in recent seasons, have a rich pedigree and history in the women’s game, a major pull factor for young aspiring goalkeepers to work with coaches like James.
“One of my under 21 goalkeepers has previously been selected for England Colleges. I have been working with on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Eloise Bywater, who plans to move to university in Texas, and currently, we have two young goalkeepers on the England pathway and they are definitely ones to keep an eye on.
“On a personal level, it’s the dream of every coach, as it is the player, to see those you have worked with make it at the top level, whether that is in the FA Cup, or the WSL, or even representing their national side. I think that is a coach’s pinnacle in their career, but ultimately, it’s about ensuring the players are enjoying their football and playing with smiles on their faces.”
The Women’s Game in South Yorkshire
Football means a lot to the people of South Yorkshire, and there are some clubs with a very rich history within the region. Doncaster Rovers Belles, Sheffield United Women, Sheffield FC and sides like Barnsley and Rotherham United Women are putting a spotlight on this famous region.
Webber-Shaw said: “In South Yorkshire, there are some brilliant clubs with fantastic coaches and structures in place. There is some exceptional pedigree from teams in South Yorkshire, and you look no further than the likes of Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Ellie Roebuck who have gone on to represent the national side.
“Ultimately it’s about the enjoyment aspect of football and the mindset that our region has produced some fantastic footballers over recent years which is living proof of what our region can provide to football.”
Following yesterday’s league restructure, Doncaster Rovers Belles will remain in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, following Barnsley FC Women’s withdrawal from the league due to financial reasons.
The Belles, before yesterday’s announcement, endured a tough season, initially being relegated to tier five, finishing on17 points from 22 games.
But, the Football Association’s relegation reprieve means the Belles can re-establish themselves in the fourth tier, and re-build ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The dedication of goalkeeping coaches in South Yorkshire is a testament to the hard work and pedigree of clubs like Doncaster Rovers Belles, striving to re-define themselves and re-write their history in women’s football in South Yorkshire.
