Body image taunts can’t suppress goalie’s talent

As Benoni Northerns goalkeeper Cole Simpson scanned the goal line to ready himself for a penalty in an Eastern Super League (ESL) top-eight knock-out clash against Old Bens at Currin Park in August, a Bens attacker attempted to unsettle him with body-shaming remarks.

The Northerns captain is a big but flexible keeper. Barring Old Bens’ first-half goal in the match, Simpson was impervious in front of goal, making several excellent saves and keeping his team’s hopes of advancement alive.

He ignored the taunts and instead focused on the penalty-taker, Sipho Pooe. After positioning himself and with Pooe advancing, Simpson dived to his right and saved the spot kick – much to the dismay of his heckler.

It could have been that incredible performance between the sticks that led to Simpson’s physique being used to get under his skin, but it wasn’t something he’d not heard before.

“As a big keeper, people think you can’t do the job. It’s not something new,” he said.

Simpson learnt very early to feel comfortable in his body, despite the slander, often masked as banter.

“It actually fuels me a bit more. I want to show these people they should never make such comments because they know what I can do on the pitch. It doesn’t matter what I look like. I know I can do the job.”

The 23-year-old said there should be good education about body image, adding that people should not judge individuals on how they look but rather their performances.

Control

Besides his reflexes, Simpson is a good communicator who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has the ability to scan the pitch to look at the best passing options. These are skills taught to him early.

“My mother always said I could have less work by building a strong backline. I also had a good goalkeeping coach in my youth. He said that if I could communicate well, the rest of the job is easy.”

With a 360° view of the field, the goalie said he has built mutual trust with his teammates, who often rely on the information he gathers during matches.

“Goalkeeping is a pivotal position. It will be tough for you if you don’t have a good keeper. Being able to see everything makes it a worthwhile position. It has highs and lows because when you concede, it’s your fault. But the highs make up for the lows,” Simpson said.

Looking ahead

The goalie has been at Northerns since he was eight. Last year, he won the player of the season and most consistent player awards when he led his team to fifth position in the ESL, despite mixed results in the competition.

“We had a new coach and many young players, which we needed because we had players who had been in the system for a very long time.

“We needed that fresh start. So, getting the young players used to how we wanted to play took time. As we built, we got our identity back.”

With preparations for the upcoming season underway, Simpson is adamant this could be the year they land the gold.

“This season, things are going to work out. We are going to fight. We are coming with a point to prove. We finished fifth, which was below our expectations. The fans have a lot to look forward to. Our main goal is to build a stronghold at home.”

Simpson and co will start the new season with two top-eight fixtures in February at home.

Fixtures:

• Northerns vs Thanda Aces on February 3
• Northerns vs Sporting on February 10

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