Question 1: Daniella, You have been with Sells Goal Academy from the beginning. Joining our first West Midlands course when we opened it a little over a year ago. How have you found you experience training at a SGA centre.

Answer: I have found the whole experience to be brilliant. Although I was scared because I didn’t know what to expect, that soon changed when I was welcomed by Andy and Ian which then set me at ease. I have been able to train at such a high level with boys as my equal which has made such a difference. Both Ian and Andy have high standards and make you work hard, but if you are not quite making the grade they will be honest and tell you. They won’t leave it there, they will offer support and encouragement but most of all believe in you that you can raise the bar and match it.
Sessions are supposed to be an hour long but I have never had a goalkeeping session less then an hour and a half, and then spend another 20/30 mins talking about my game at the weekend and how I have performed during this last session. The feedback is great and they are always interested in how you are developing outside of training.
Instructions and what is expected of you is done in away so you understand. Its demonstrated so you see what you need to do. Its explained and broken down to make it clear. No two drills are the same, also see what development is needed and work on it without showing you up. I have always struggled with my goal kicks off the floor I spent half a session with Tom (SGA COACH) just kicking off the floor. He broke my kick down, gave me some pointers on how to improve. For homework I then had to carry out some simple drills and within that week I had improved my kicking off the floor by 100% being able to kick twice the length and more consistently.

Question 2: You where the first girl to attend any of the SGA courses, and to date the girls now make up 20% of the keepers that attend our courses. How did you find out about SGA and have you found it beneficial joining our courses.

Answer:  My manager at Coundon Court FC forwarded an invitation that he had received from Sells Academy offering a free taster session, so I went along and the rest is history. I have found it immensely beneficial because the standards are high. There is no separation between girls +boys and the expectations are exactly the same, which has improved my game so much in all aspects of goalkeeping. 

Question 3: You have recently been entered for the England schools trials, and progressed to earn yourself a place in the team. You and your family must be very proud. Can you tell us how this all came about and what was the experience like.

Answer:  This was a dream come true an unbelievable experience. It came about through my school receiving an email from the EFSA asking for nominations for an Under 15 trails. My school nominated myself and 2 other girls. We had to fill in a very lengthy form detailing our background in football, how long we had played and at which clubs. After a couple of weeks I then received a letter inviting me to attend a two day trail in Telford where they would accomodate me. I was One of Three goalkeepers out of 33 girls who attended the trail back in February.  We were put through our paces during the Two days, being monitored and marked on our performance, our fitness, our play and our conduct. I returned home after the Two days and awaited the out come. By the end of that week I had received a letter stating I had been picked to be in the squad of 16 to represent the first ever Under 15’s English School Girls Team in an International against Scotland to be played in Glasgow on Easter Saturday!!! This was only two months away, OMG!
Over night I became some sort of superstar in my village when the word got out, past and present clubs, friends, and family alike all sent me many congratulations and wishes of good luck.
I carried on training with Sells, Ian and Tom made sure that the next Ten weeks, leading up to my game in Scotland, progressively got harder and pushed me to my limit and I thank them for that as I went to Scotland on the top of my game. It was a very proud moment being in the changing room, having my name read out. I was handed my England shirt and lead out on to the pitch while hearing the national anthem playing and listening to the supporters singing. What an experience, something I will never forget. Then before you knew it, the final whistle was heard and we had won 3-1 and I had kept a clean sheet during my time in goal. During the 2 days in Scotland I got to know some amazing girls and made some fantastic friends. I still can’t believe I’ve played in an England Shirt!!

Question 4: Where do you play your weekly football?

Answer: I play my weekly football for Coundon Court FC, The club is the only community standard club in Coventry, it has both boys and girls team from the ages of 7 to 16. My manager’s name is Barry and the assistant is Dave, both very committed to our team and the club. I am part of a fantastic team who last year won the double (The league and the cup). But this last season 2010/11 even though we beat West Brom twice and Derby as well as a draw we had to make do with Third in The Central Warks Girls Football League.

Question 5: Can you tell us how you heard about Sells Goalkeeping Academy.

Answer: I heard about Sells, through another email from my manager and he thought it would give me some good professional training. As I hadn’t had hardly any training since I left Coventry city ladies within my first season with being at Coundon.

Question 6: What aspect of your Goalkeeping have you improved the most with attending the SGA centers?

Answer: My all round game has improved; the Sells high standards have ensured that I have got quicker on the ball, handling is more consistent, my feet are quicker across the goal so I travel further, my positioning has improved, and my kicking off the floor has just been great, I have become so much sharper more confident as Sells has encouraged me to believe in myself, which has been great a great boost.

Question 7: Unfortunately you where not able to attend the Ricoh Arena event in May. Will you be attending our professional day at Aston Villa Training ground which will be released shortly?

Answer: I was gutted that I couldn’t attend the Ricoh as I was on tour with my Club. I have heard from others that did attend that I missed a fantastic training session with people coming from all over the world to be part of it, a great experience. I am looking forward to the professional day that is coming up soon at the Aston Villa training ground, again a brilliant chance not to be missed; I will not miss this one.

Question 8: Ian Jackson has been your coach at the West Midlands course. How have you found working with him?

Answer:  Ian has just been brilliant. Straight from the off Ian treated me exactly the same. Ian is hard and his expectations and standards are high but he is fair. Ian is honest, he tells you when you may not be quite meeting the work, he explains where you are going wrong, he then expands what you should be doing, demo’s it then gets you to do it, always making sure you finish on a good one.
Ians encouragement and support over the many weeks has made me achieve at the highest standards, he has driven me on, to ensure my desire to do my best builds and grows. I am really please with my progress and can’t wait to start again. No drill session is the same, there is always an added twist to keep you alert and on your toes. Both Ian and Tom are inspirational, both have experience and a fantastic attitude, ensuring you always get the best,

Daniella with your fantastic progress over the past 12 months we at SGA are very proud of what you have achieved. You have shown the dedication and desire that a keeper requires to maximize their ability. We wish you the very best and we are extremely pleased that you are continuing to attend the SGA centers.

Thank you

SGA Team