Elite Goalkeeper Academy are delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with KZ Goalkeeping. KZ are an up and coming brand that is still in it’s infancy, having only been trading for 18 months but is already making waves in the world of goalkeeping due to their high quality products and unique design. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young goalkeepers to be able to purchase a top product, that is up there with household names in terms of material quality and quality of build, at affordable prices.
We believe in not only offering our goalkeepers the best quality of coaching and advice, but we also wish to offer our keepers the highest quality products on the market to complement their goalkeeping, so it is brilliant for Elite Goalkeeper Academy to be recognised by a company such as KZ.
Our Founder and Head Coach – Steven Rodden recently conducted an interview with KZ Goalkeeping Founder Nick Eyre:
We are delighted to be able to announce another fantastic collaboration with a highly rated and progressive coach.
Steven Rodden
Steven Runs the Elite Goalkeeper Academy in the North East and has taken time out of his schedule to answer a few questions on our link up and his hopes for the future.
It is perhaps even more satisfying to be able to have built a solid friendship after Steven’s originally well publicised opinions on KZ Goalkeeping Gloves and myself personally.
Welcome to Team KZ Steven.
1.What made you make KONTAKT with KZ Goalkeeping?
It was more out of chance really, I’d commented on a video on the KZ Coaching page which then sparked a conversation that began with goalkeeping and spiralled from there.
2. Your initial thoughts on the brand and the owner were less than complimentary and quite widely publicised via social media. What made you change your mind?
I’d say the gloves and Nick changed my mind. My original view on Nick and KZ was less than desirable and it was widely publicised over social media. After Nick and I got talking I decided to take the plunge and purchased a pair to trial. The gloves looked and felt brilliant straight out the packet, the fit was perfect with no baggy areas and actually felt like a glove should. Personally I’d rank the fit and feel up there with the likes of Adidas and Nike!
3. What are your plans for 2015 with the Elite Goalkeeper Academy?
My plans is to not only inspire young goalkeepers but also inspire aspiring coaches through a Coach Development Plan that I am currently in the process of developing. I hope to continue to expand and continue to innovate in the North East, I have plans for Coach Education Seminars to educate Grassroots Coaches, which I hope will increase the amount of good information goalkeepers in the North East are getting. I’m looking to increase the amount of goalkeepers I work with through running open group sessions, make contact with more clubs to run regular sessions for them and to also open up more opportunities throughout the school holidays for young players to do something they love.
4. It is accepted that you are a fantastic young coach who innovates and tests all your goalkeepers to the Maximum, what or who would you say has been your biggest influence?
I’d say my biggest influence was that I never really received any form of regular goalkeeper coaching growing up, only receiving specialised coaching when I began to play College football. Even within the 3 years I was at College I noticed a massive improvement in my own ability, it was there I decided I wanted to make a difference.
I’ve also been influenced by a number of coaches; Simon Smith – for his ability to build an instant rapport with goalkeepers and the high standards he always works to within any environment, Jose Sambade – His innovative sessions are creating the next wave of goalkeeper, the quick, strong, athletic keeper that’s not only good with their feet but also solid in any situation, something I think we in the UK need to look towards.
I think if all coaches can work towards what these 2 (and more) offer then the future of goalkeeping in England and the UK will definitely be bright!
5. Your now official collaboration with the KZ brand will bring about another exciting link up for KZ and Elite GK Academy. What do you hope to gain from working with KZ and Nick Eyre?
With this collaboration I hope to not only offer a fantastic product to my goalkeepers but I also hope to tap in to Nick’s knowledge and experience. I’m always looking to learn and I think being in regular contact with Nick will help to give me new ideas and probably even a different spin on the things I’m currently doing. All in all, I’m looking to offer a more rounded package to my goalkeepers.
6. Where are you based and what ages and abilities do you cater for?
I’m based in the North East and work out of Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. I cater to all ages and abilities, from 5 year olds right through to adult goalkeepers.
7. What has been the key aspect of your agreement to partner with KZ Goalkeeping? What makes you choose KZ above others?
The quality of the product and the friendship that I have developed with Nick are the 2 main factors. It’s always good to work with people that are on a similar level to you and that should make for a great professional relationship going forwards.
8. Tell us about your career and why you chose Goalkeeping coaching?
My career never ever took off with being only 5’9 (and a half), I was dismissed at 13 by a Newcastle scout for being “too short” although I was a “brilliant shot stopper and had great ability”. At 16 I went to Newcastle College playing in the ECFA League, missing out on a trial with the English Colleges football team due to being too old, during my time at college I won Player of The Season. Half way through my final college year I moved to Seattle to coach young soccer players, this is where my passion for coaching really began, I was doing really well coaching outfield players then I started freelancing as a Goalkeeper Coach where I was in high demand, sometimes coaching more hours as a goalkeeper coach as what I was doing my paid job! On my return to the UK I continued my coaching with a local Grassroots team, often running sessions with our 2 goalkeepers and offering help and advice where I could. I attempted to get back in to playing but a run of injuries, operations and a mental barrier, caused by a horrific nose break, put an end to any dreams of every playing again. I decided on the route of goalkeeper coaching due to the lack of coaches in the area at the time, from research I’d only found 1 regular coach and decided to take the plunge, something I’ll never regret!
9. What model of glove do you currently wear?
I’m currently in the Giga Kontakt.
10. What are your working goals for 2015?
My goals are to continue to expand Elite Goalkeeper Academy along with my other business Fundamental Sports Coaching, in which I go in to Primary Schools and work with young children on their fundamental movement skills which are vital in any sport! I’m also looking to learn and improve my own coaching style/knowledge further so that I can continue to offer the very highest standard of coaching possible. Hopefully I’ll be starting on either a local UEFA B course or FAYAM3 towards the middle to end of this year.
11. KZ brand owner Nick Eyre believes in only working with the best and has joined forces with some of the finest coaches in the UK. What would you say you can bring to KZ Goalkeeping aside from your knowledge and technical coaching input?
I’d like to think I’d be able to offer KZ more than just my coaching input, with previous experience as a Trade Development Manager for a well-known Energy Drink, I’d hope I’d be able to help further develop the reputation of the brand not only in the North East but around the UK and beyond.
12. Finally, what would you like to see happen in the next year during Elite GK Academy and KZ Goalkeeping’s partnership?
I’d like to see the majority (if not all) of my goalkeepers buying into the overall brand and the collaboration between myself and KZ. Eventually, I’d like to think I’d be in a position to be able to work alongside Nick to develop my own Elite Goalkeeper Academy SMU which I could offer out to all of my goalkeepers!