Goalkeeping Advice from Spurs’ Star

Footballers and football fans were doubly treated on Thursday 9 May when Tottenham Hotspur players Brad Freidel and Jan Vertonghen visited the school. Defender and Belgian international Vertonghen spent time with U4 linguists in a question-and-answer session about his life and playing career, which was conducted entirely in French, this was very fitting as it was Europe Day!  He also took time to watch the U15 footballers train.  Meanwhile, goalkeeper Brad Freidel gave 24 of the school’s footballers a master class.  During the session, which involved players from throughout the School from the Prep School right up to the Upper Sixth, Friedel gave the boys plenty of goalkeeping practice and drills.  Afterwards, the boys had the chance to ask about his long-playing career, his views on the premiership and also his predictions for Tottenham for the rest of the season.

During the visit, School was also pleased to present a cheque to Brad Freidel for the charity of his choice; he nominated the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which aims to grant wishes for seriously ill children and to provide stimulating programmes in hospital.

Lower Sixth Former, Peter Smith, Bancroft’s first XI goalkeeper, said that he found the session, “Very interesting.  Brad Freidel covered lots of points, including things I hadn’t really thought about before.  The session definitely challenged some of my ideas.”

Co-Curricular Head, Chris Butler said that it was really good to get the premiership players to visit and inspire the pupils, “Although we are very much a rugby playing school, it is great to see our pupils enjoying and playing a wide range of sports.  The session focussed on goalkeeping skills specifically, but it also helped to reinforce the team ethic which is so important to a child’s development.  The pupils gained a great deal from the session and I’m sure they have learnt a lot; if only just how demanding it is to be a professional sportsman!”