Bulldogs join up with My Goalie Development to boost netminder progress
SUPPORT ROLE: Matt Milhench (left) provides one-on-one advice to Jacob Mardell, the Bulldogs Under-16 goalie.
BRADFORD BULLDOGS have gone another step in their aim to boost goalie coaching at the club by teaming up witn Matt Milhench at My Goalie Development.
The Bulldogs have agreed with Matt to attend Bulldogs’ training sessions on Wednesdays to help provide specific goalie-centred training for all the youngsters coming through the junior programme.
The latest sign of commitment to our goalies comes on the back of our decision not to charge our junior goalies any monthly subs, given the extra expenses they and their families often incur in terms of equipment cost.
To watch Matt’s My Goalie Development session at Bradford earlier this year click HERE
We believe by bringing Matt in on a regular basis to Bradford Ice Arena, we can further boost our netminders’ development and give them the support they need on their journey through the junior ranks.
Matt has already staged two one-day clinics at the club for Bulldogs’ goalies, as well as staging his first-ever weekend goalie camp at the Arena in the summer, which attracted young goalies from all over the UK.
An extra, one-off three-hour goalie session was held in Bradford on Sunday, providing the youngsters with a combination of on-ice and off-ice goalie training.
Matt will be back this Wednesday (August 14) for the first of his regular goalie training sessions, which will see him on the ice with goalies at all agre groups throughout the evening.
“I am genuinely thrilled about being asked to come and work with the Bulldogs and help develop their goalies,” said Matt. “I had only had experience of playing against Bradford for several years up until a few months ago.
FOLLOW MY LEADER: Matt Millhench demonstrates positioning to JAck Clarke, one of our Under-12 goalies.
“What I've seen so far has absolutely blown me away. From free subs for goalies, accommodating and helping with running our first goalie camp and also hosting regular clinics.
“Now the Bulldogs are giving me an opportunity to regularly help with the goalies on training sessions. I'm so excited to be a part of what Bradford Bulldogs are building for their goalies, everyone has been so welcoming and it honestly feels more like a family than a team.”
To watch Matt’s My Goalie Development session at Bradford earlier this year click HERE
Bulldogs’ head coach, Andy Brown said the addition of Matt to the Bulldogs’ junior coaching set-up, was further proof of the club’s commitment to try and give their up-and-coming goalies every support they need.
“It's great that we have been able to get Matt in for regular training sessions for our goalies.,” said Andy. “I know from the clinics he has already held at Bradford - as well as the weekend camp he staged here - that all the goalies have really enjoyed working with him.
“We've got a number of young goalies who are starting out on their journey as netties and we've got others who are either already at England standard or preparing to make the move into regular senior hockey.
“We recognise as a club how important it is to make the training as accessible as possible for goalies, while being as supportive as we possibly can be.
“That is chiefly why we took the decision earlier this year to not charge our goalies for monthly subs anymore. By getting Matt in for our Wednesday sessions on a regular basis, we believe we are showing further commitment to our young goalies and their development.”