Wilmette Wings Soccer Club

The Wilmette Wings Soccer Club is implementing a specialized Goalkeeper Program to provide comprehensive age-specific training for those players who want to take steps to become full-time goalies.  Emphasis will be placed on developing good fundamentals and preparation for the demands of competitive play.  Beginning at the U11 age level, the Wilmette Wings will conduct specific goalkeeper tryouts for full-time and part-time goalkeeper positions.

U8/U9 - Coaches will require all players to share in the responsibility of the goalkeeper position.

U10 - Coaches and Technical Directors will transition interested players into the goalkeeper position.  These players will gain more time and experience in the net. 

U11 & Above - Coaches and Technical Directors will identify and place goalkeepers for all teams.  Coaches will use the tryout process to help select players for full-time and part-time positions.  Typically one to two goalkeepers will be placed per team. 

U8 - U10 - Players will be given ample opportunities to play on the field.  It is the Wings philosophy that players must continue to build their field skills and techniques on the ball (passing/receiving, dribbling, etc...). 

U11 & Above  - Players will begin to focus and specialize on the position of goalkeeper.  Field playing time will be dependent on a player's ability to compete on the field. 

U9 /U10 -  Goalkeeper training will be offered to any interested players.

U11 & Above - Goalkeepers will be required to attend weekly goalkeeper specific training sessions* with the club's goalkeeper trainer.  Goalkeepers will attend one team practice and one goalkeeper training session each week.  Goalkeepers can attend both team practices as long as it does not conflict with the goalkeeper specific training. 

* Only goalkeepers who are assigned as full-time or part-time goalkeepers will be allowed to attend goalkeeper sessions.