Bowes, who runs AGILITY4KEEPERS (A4K) with Shane Nienaber (ex-professional keeper with Bidvest Wits and Middlesbrough FC), is as passionate as it comes when it comes to developing the country’s next best goalkeepers.
Both Bowes (SAFA B Licence) and Nienaber (UEFA B Licence) have produced goalkeepers who have gone on to be selected within the Premier Soccer League (PSL) ranks and with overseas contracts.
With SAFA’s new president Danny Jordaan’s new vision for developing football players at grassroots level, Bowes believes that the time is right to get the ball moving in terms of development.
A4K has arranged for international goalkeeper coach and instructor Ian Pledger to facilitate a goalkeeper coaching/training clinic at Luso Africa, in Primrose, from Monday, December 9, to Wednesday, December 11, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Pledger, who also holds his UEFA B Licence, as well as a number of goalkeeper coaching badges, is currently the head goalkeeper coach and instructor at Peterborough United in England, which has a remarkable success rate of 95 per cent in developing goalkeepers who are sold to the bigger professional clubs in Europe.
“South Africa has become the number one location and breeding ground to recruit and scout talented young goalkeepers for trials in Europe,” said Pledger, a former professional goalkeeper himself.
In 2012, nine young goalkeepers were selected during a clinic for trials in the UK and four boys signed professional contracts.
There will also be guest appearances by current and former professional football players, managers and coaches.
The coaches monitor the goalkeepers daily for a chance to attend trials, both in South Africa and the UK, as well as potential scholarship opportunities in the USA.
For more details contact Bowes on 082 964 6929, or Nienaber on 071 963 6320.
