A PROFESSIONAL footballer and coach for Oxford United have started a new business to teach children  how to be better goalkeepers.

Simon Eastwood, the current first team goalkeeper, and Wayne Brown, head of goalkeeping, started Future Goalkeeper about two months ago.

The pair have been training and mentoring children  across Oxfordshire to help train them in goalkeeping, including UTC in Greenwood Way, Didcot.

Herald Series: Oxford United's Simon Eastwood teaching kids in Didcot how to goal keepOxford United's Simon Eastwood teaching kids in Didcot how to goal keep

READ MORE: Football club pays tribute to former goalkeeper

Mr Eastwood, who has been with Oxford United for about six years, said: “We were running separate businesses before the pandemic but decided to join together this year.

“It’s to bring goal keeping to local kids who want to get involved and be keepers when they’re older and be keepers now.

Herald Series: "It's nice for them to get some professional advice" "It's nice for them to get some professional advice"

“It’s to try and build them up because I think goal keepers get left behind in training.”

The pair teach children  different techniques such as how to catch, where to stand in the goal and what to expect during the games.

READ MORE: Oxford United women finish second after ending the season on a high

Herald Series: "Our aim is to make it as fun as possible""Our aim is to make it as fun as possible"

“We’d like to think we’re a bit different as I’m still a professional footballer and Wayne is a professional coach,” said Mr Eastwood.

“It’s nice they can have some professional advice but we do try and make it as fun as we can. Our main aim is to keep it fun but also teach kids to be better goal keepers.”

For more information, visit: futuregoalkeeper.com

-

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok

Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here

List an event for free on our website here