Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Abu Dhabi is throwing the spotlight on one of the most important positions on the field, teaching UAE children the vital skills in the art of goalkeeping.

Current Manchester United first team keeper, David de Gea, will act as the inspiration for UK-based goalkeeping expert, Peter Nicholls who is in the UAE capital to teach the four-day intensive course.

Taking place from Sunday 1 July to Wednesday 4 July, the programme is aimed at the growing number of children interested in following in the footsteps of Manchester United goalkeeping legends Peter Schmeichel and Edwin Van der Sar.

Nicholls is a UEFA qualified goalkeeping coach, who worked for six years at the Football Association (FA) in England as a Grassroots Football Development Officer before joining the MUSS residential courses in the UK as a goalkeeping coordinator.

The four-day intensive course, held within the air-conditioned Dome@Rawdhat on Airport Road which was built by MUSS partners Reem Investments, is open to boys and girls aged ten to 16. The programme will feature 12 hours of on-field coaching time with each day dedicated to learning different goalkeeping techniques.

Goalkeeping Schedule
- Sunday Footwork, handling and the set position
- Monday Shot stopping
- Tuesday Crossing and distribution
- Wednesday One v One Workshop – building goalkeepers’ confidence.

“We introduced the goalkeeping programme during last year’s summer courses and it was incredibly popular,” said Andy Dixon, head coach of MUSS in Abu Dhabi.

“Peter’s expertise is invaluable for our kids to learn from the best. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area and is looking forward to developing the young goalkeepers within the UAE.”

Peter Nicholls added, “The goalkeeper position is very specialised and technical. Over the four days I’ll be teaching the children about the importance of confidence and concentration between the posts, as well as developing their technical ability.”

The MUSS summer programme, which runs throughout July and is open to boys and girls aged seven to 16, will also offer football specific coaching courses, teaching children to play the United way and keep active during the summer, despite the soaring temperatures outside.

All players enrolled in the summer programme will take part in the MUSS series of skills challenges, in which the highest point scorer of the summer will win a free place on the MUSS 10-week programme starting in October 2012.

The first course starts on 24 June and registration is now open. The goalkeeping course and the football specific week-long courses cost AED995 and includes an exclusive MUSS Nike training kit with shirt, shorts and socks as well as an MUSS certificate, individual player evaluation, daily healthy snacks, a drawstring bag and water bottle.

To book a place or to find out more information, visit www.manutdsoccerschools.ae or call 02 449 8480.

Abu Dhabi based developer Reem Investments built the Dome@Rawdhat to create a vibrant sporting community in the area; more than 18,000 people use the facilities every month.

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