Pro Touch SA goalies who are being put through their paces in special training sessions

WHEN it comes to helping produce top-notch goalies, youngsters at Pro Touch SA (PTSA) are in safe hands.

The football academy has played a part in developing some smart shot-stoppers over the years, including Arthur Okonkwo, 21, who is in the running to be Arsenal’s third-choice keeper this season, and his younger brother Brian, 17, who has been impressing in the Gunners’ Under-18s side.

Pro Touch’s newest crop of keepers – ranging from Under-6s to Under-16s – are currently being put through their paces by former Camden United player Anthony Singh at Whittington Park in Holloway every Tuesday, and at the artificial pitches in Market Road on Sundays.

“We’ve got a rich history of developing not only great young goalkeepers, but also talented goalkeeping coaches,” said PTSA founder Ash Rahman. “We’ve helped a number of goalies over the years to get noticed by professional clubs. And our very first goalkeeping coach, Justinas Gasiunas, went on to work at Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, as well as the Lithuanian national team. It’s a position on the pitch that we handle with great professionalism and I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the years.”

To find out more about PTSA’s ongoing sessions visit www.protouchsa.co.uk