WaiBOP Football would like to thank Aotearoa Gaming Trust for its continued support of our Goalkeeping Development Programme.

The programme, delivered in partnership with INGOAL and led by former All Whites goalkeeper and FIFA Goalkeeper Instructor James Bannatyne, is helping improve goalkeeper coaching across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

The long-term goal is to build local capability, so more clubs and communities have people who can support goalkeepers well.

John Stanhope + young goalkeepers in Whakatane

Goalkeeping is a specialist position, but it is often one of the least supported areas in community football. Many young goalkeepers train without regular access to specialist coaching, and many clubs rely on volunteers who may not have had goalkeeper-specific support themselves.

The programme is focussed on building a stronger goalkeeper network across the region, supporting local goalkeeper coaches, and encouraging clubs to provide better goalkeeper support within their own environments.

A junior and youth goalkeeper programme is one part of that work. Launched in Hamilton and Tauranga in Term 4 last year, before expanding into Whakatāne and Rotorua across Terms 1 and 2 this year,  it provides structured local training environments for players aged 8–16

Daniel Gibbs + Young Goalkeepers in Rotorua

Five local coaches were supported to take part in an OFC/NZF Goalkeeping C Licence course earlier this year, helping build specialist coaching knowledge across the region.

Support from Aotearoa Gaming Trust has helped make this possible. WaiBOP Football is grateful for the continued investment in community football and its support of work that is helping clubs, coaches and young goalkeepers.

Max Tommy plus young goalkeepers in Hamilton

Article added: Friday 19 June 2026