Name: Lee Barrass
Age: 32
GK Icon Venue: Gateshead
FOOTBALL CAREER HISTORY:
Played football since the age of 6 at various levels from school football to local Amature football. Finished playing due to knee injury at the ripe age of 27 but as i wanted and thought about coaching from the early days of 6/7 years old that was always my main aim. Naturally i wanted to learn the game so i could understand what football really means so playing is what i done until i had to retire early but i constantly thought of coaching and was always wanting to know the "whys, whats and how?".
Been a goalkeeper since the age of 6, experiencing highs and lows has taught me valuable lessons in both football and life. How to cope with pressure and the extreme lows of what the game can throw at you in a instant and the highs of making game winning saves and keeping your head in the right place so you can focus on doing just that.
Started taking coaching seriously not too long after finishing playing by helping out local clubs from junior age to senior level respectively. Now having nearly 6 years of coaching experience at both junior grassroots up to Semi Professional level along with having my own GK School, studied the game and gained qualifications in both general football and the specialist position of Goalkeeper in England, Scotland and Wales I have a understanding of the game which i want to pass onto anyone i work with.
I am the Newcastle United Women FC Goalkeeping Coach.
TEACHING STYLE:
Keep it basic and when a goalkeeper understands and can do the basic things great saves with naturally follow. Its not your session its the Gk/s your working with session, don't make any session be focused around yourself as a coach but focus solely on who you are coaching and their individual needs to improve.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT:
Playing wise it was reaching a Cup Final at my senior team before i had to retire, we beat a team that was two leagues above us to reach the final. We clicked as a team, no one stood out for us as but a total team game which we played outstanding and literally blew the opposition apart. Cup final game we unfortunately lost on penalties 3-2 but i made one and if not my most memorable save in all my years as a goalkeeper.
Coaching wise i get them all the time, when anyone does anything that is a development for them then im proud as can be. Whether it is during their session or during a game they play seeing anyone who has come to you for advice and to learn develop no matter how little of a development it is it really is a nice feeling to know that what you are doing is working for that individual.
To listen to an interview with Lee click here.