Good hand to eye coordination helps and a natural athleticism is an advantage, but above all a hockey goalkeeper has to be, “just a little bit crazy.”
So says Cheshire under-15 goalkeeper Charlie who played a key role in the county’s national championship success.
A talented all round sportsman at King’s, brave Charlie kept a clean sheet in the Northern Championships.
Then in the national finals in Nottingham, he only conceded five goals as Cheshire beat teams from Hampshire 5 -1, Devon 2 -1 and Essex 2 -1, drawing with Nottinghamshire 2 - 2 to be crowned national champions.
Charlie, who also plays for Wilmslow Hockey Club, added: “It certainly helps as a goalkeeper to be a little bit crazy. You’ve got to throw yourself into the thick of the action with sticks flying everywhere if you want to make the grade.”
Encouraged by his dad Mark, a Wilmslow Hockey Club stalwart, Charlie was originally coached by Paul Warburton at Pownall Hall School and has since played both in goal and on the wing for King’s.
Charlie added: “I love playing in both positions and am happy just to get a game, but I probably have more chance of progressing in the sport as a goalkeeper and like any young hockey player would ultimately love to represent Great Britain at the Olympics.”
Charlie also plays second row for the under-14 King’s Rugby Union side and is a football goalkeeper for Wilmslow Sports Club under-14s and plays for King’s under 14 cricket team.
