Our Team
Keeper Skool has grown dramatically over the last couple of years. Today, Keeper Skool has a group of dedicated writers whom share a passion for football and the art of goalkeeping, and wish to provide their years of knowledge to our readers. Following are biographies of our dedicated writing staff:
John Stevanja (Editor)
I've played alongside, and against, some of the best young talents in Australia and internationally. It has been a fantastic learning curve. In-between all of this chaos I have also received a degree in Business (Marketing). I am a fully qualified Fitness Instructor, with international certification from FISAF. There is the link. This is what I have dedicated my blog to. Scientific principles that adhere to the art of goal keeping. You might not think this, but we as goalkeepers are a very unique breed. Therefore, we deserve very specific and unique advice on how to excel in our position. Keeper Skool will be updated regularly, as I research new principles and apply them to our site.
- Sydney United Representative (Australian Premier League) (1995-97)
- Dinamo Zagreb [Croatia] Juniors (1995-96)
- Represented Australia in the Kvarnerska Riviera Tournament (Croatia) (1996)
- NSW (District) schoolboy representative, selected for Australian schoolboys (1996)
- Marconi Representative (Australian Premier League) (1998-99)
- Sutton United FC (Southern Nationwide Conference)[Training] (2004)
- Bury FC (English Football League 2)[Assessment & Trial] (2004)
- Dulwich Hill (NSW Winter Super League) (2005)
Steve Amoia
Steve is a freelance writer and editor from Washington, D.C. His family was originally from Italy. During the last few years, he was very pleased to discover football-loving relatives in Argentina and Australia, respectively. He is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. In 2002, he developed and authored the World Cup History Test for Brainbench, which is a global employment skills testing firm. He has published articles and commentaries for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Soccer School), Futebol, The Brazilian Way of Life, International Herald Tribune 2006 World Cup Fan Blog, Italiansrus.com, Keeper Skool, and Soccerlens. Steve has also developed three web sites about international football: The Amoias of the Americas, Italian Calcio, and World Football. Links to these sites may be found via his blog.
Website: http://calcio1.blogspot.com
Brad Barnett
Born and raised in the US and have been playing the beautiful game since I was 13 years old. Each and every year has been in goal, and I love every second of it. Along with playing as often as I can, I have played in the college ranks as well as against some professional teams. I have trained many young goal keepers and continue to do private lessons on the side. I currently write a blog about football kits for Football Media http://footballkitsblog.com and look forward to helping out the younger keepers in the world make the transition to college or even the professional ranks.
Liviu Bird
I play for the U18 Alaska Northstars State Select Team and I was on the Alaska Olympic Development Program team for 4 years straight. I will be playing in college and semi-pro starting next fall in Seattle, Washington. I plan to see out my goalkeeping career to the bitter end, whether that be the stadium lights on Match of the Day or the pub league. Being half Romanian, I go back often and will someday end up in Europe to stay. I am proud to be an Alaskan as well, and I'm proud to brave the weather up here, as hard as it makes playing football. Readers can expect to get my insight into the multi-faceted goalkeeper position, as well as news on my own goalkeeping career. Any comments and questions are very welcome.
Peter Mastrogiovanni
Masters Degree in Education with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Roberts Wesleyan College Men's Goalkeeper Coach. NSCAA National Goalkeeping Certification (Distinguished Pass). The USSF/NSCAA Advanced Goalkeeping Diploma. USSF National "D" License. NSCAA National Youth Diploma. English FA Fitness in Football and Psychology of Soccer. Senior Staff Coach and Goalkeeper Coach: Doug Miller Soccer School and Academy. Spencerport SC Director of Player Development. United States Soccer Federation Referee.
RDSL Premier League and Division 1 player. Roberts Wesleyan College Soccer MVP, NCCAA Region 1 Championship. NCCAA National Championships, Longview, Texas.
Consistent goalkeeping is developed in a technical setting allowing the keeper to achieve confidence in their ability to catch the ball as well as the body's understanding of how to move to a ball with efficiency. Keepers must also be exposed to tactical/functional play where the keeper is put under game conditions and pressure. It is here that we have a more complete picture of the keeper's learning and understanding of the position and game.
If you are an avid writer, love goalkeeping and/or own your own football related blog and would like to contribute to Keeper Skool blog then we would like to hear from you. Email me your details here.
