A new chapter in the future of Cymru goalkeeping has begun with the launch of the FAW National Domestic Academy Goalkeeper Coach Development and Talent ID programme.
Alex Ramsey, the FAW Head of National Goalkeeping, is behind the initiative and highlighted how the programme will assist in the overall development of goalkeeping across the country following the inaugural event at the Cardiff City Academy last month.
“The programme has been developed with two key objectives,” explained Ramsay to FAW.cymru. “To strengthen the development and education of goalkeeper coaches working within our National Domestic Academy system, while establishing a more structured and consistent approach to identifying and monitoring young goalkeepers across Wales.
“A key part of this is supporting coaches within their own club environments, helping them develop and enhance their goalkeeper programmes, while also providing individualised support aligned to their own coach education pathways and development needs.”
The programme will be delivered nationally in collaboration with Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham, providing opportunities for coaches and goalkeepers across both the boys’ and girls’ domestic academy pathways.
“Working collaboratively with Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham allows us to establish a programme with national coverage, ensuring that coaches and goalkeepers across Wales have access to the same opportunities for development and identification,” Ramsay added.
“The talent identification element is equally important. Our ambition is to provide every goalkeeper within the National Domestic Academy system, both boys and girls, with the opportunity to experience an FAW goalkeeper programme and be observed by coaches working within our national pathway.
“While identifying goalkeepers who demonstrate the potential to progress towards international football is a key objective, we also recognise the importance of creating positive development experiences and providing opportunities for young goalkeepers across the domestic game.”
Ramsey was appointed into his current role in December 2024 having previously worked as Scouting Manager at Brighton & Hove Albion. In addition, as a goalkeeper himself he made over 200 appearances in the Novira Cymru Premier and represented his country as a Cymru C international.
Ramsey’s experience of the domestic game provides a solid understanding of some of the challenges involved when it comes to coaching young goalkeepers in the domestic academy system.
“Having experienced the domestic game first-hand, I recognise the challenges that coaches can face, particularly around resources, contact time and the demands of working with multiple goalkeepers at different stages of development,” he added.
“Our responsibility is to understand those environments and provide practical support that can positively influence the quality and consistency of goalkeeper development across the domestic academy system.
“We’re not looking to dictate how individual clubs should operate. The intention is to establish a collaborative relationship where we can share knowledge, challenge thinking and support coaches in developing programmes that are appropriate to their own environments, while reflecting the demands of the modern game.”
The opening event at the Cardiff City Academy was attended by 20 young goalkeepers. Training sessions were delivered by goalkeeping coaches educated through the FAW coaching system, while Ramsey himself presented to the coaches in attendance education specific to their own goalkeeping programmes.
“The first coach development contact focused specifically on session design and delivery, which is a fundamental part of developing an effective goalkeeper programme,” Ramsay explained.
“We explored four key areas: the goalkeeper game model, curriculum design, session structure and session delivery. The objective was to demonstrate how these elements should connect to provide a clear and consistent framework for goalkeeper development.
“In particular, we looked at how a goalkeeper game model can inform curriculum planning, how that curriculum translates into the design of individual training sessions, and ultimately how coaches can deliver practices that reflect the technical, tactical and decision-making demands of the game.
“It was important that the session was interactive and encouraged coaches to reflect on their own programmes. We want to create an environment where coaches can share experiences, discuss challenges and take practical ideas back into their clubs.”
The second part of the evening focused on talent identification, with young goalkeepers participating in practical sessions delivered by goalkeeper coaches who have progressed through the FAW coach education pathway.
“Having the coach development and talent identification elements within the same event is a really important part of the programme’s structure,” Ramsay added.
“It allows us to support the development of our coaches while simultaneously creating opportunities to observe young goalkeepers within a national pathway environment.
“Through delivering these events across Wales, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the goalkeeping talent within our domestic academy system, strengthen our relationships with clubs and ensure that promising young goalkeepers are identified, monitored and supported appropriately.
“The regional and national programmes, alongside the domestic academy system, have played an important role in the development of players progressing into our national teams over the last decade,” Ramsay explained.
“My focus is to ensure that we have equally effective structures and processes in place for goalkeepers, particularly around identification, individual development, monitoring and the transition between different stages of the pathway.
“Ultimately, we want to build a sustainable programme that raises the standard of goalkeeper coaching across our domestic academies, strengthens our national talent identification processes and provides more opportunities for Welsh goalkeepers to fulfil their potential.
“If we can consistently support the development of the coaches working with these young goalkeepers on a weekly basis, while improving our ability to identify and monitor emerging talent, we can have a meaningful long-term impact on goalkeeping across Wales.”
