Vince Wilson, of West Berlin, will be among the soccer goalies competing in the National Goalie War Association 2006 Championships next March in Florida.
GOALIE WAR
At a glance: Through the sport of Goalie War, keepers
can develop their technical proficiency in an enjoyable
environment while increasing their level of fitness.
Specifically, keepers can work on stance, movement,
positioning, catching, tipping, deflecting, diving,
throwing and kicking.
Coaches can evaluate these skills as well as a keeper's
speed, agility, strength, reflexes, fitness,
determination and maturity.
Information: Call (866) 462-5439 or visit goaliewar.com
on the Web.
By LYFORD M. MOORE
Courier-Post Staff
WINSLOW TWP.
Mention Walt Disney World to most kids, and they start marking time.
Whether it's Epcot Center, the Tower of Terror or Splash Mountain, the mere thought of spending a few days in sunny Orlando, Fla., has a way of bringing a wide and enduring smile to many a young face.
Vince Wilson is no different.
The 12-year-old West Berlin boy wouldn't mind jetting off to Walt Disney World, either, but he won't be -- at least not in the near future. Instead, he'll be keeping a date in Boca Raton, Fla.
As this year's Northeast Regional U-13 Goalie War champion, the South Jersey Soccer League player will be traveling to Boca Raton in mid-March to compete in the National Goalie War Association's 2006 National Goalie War Championships.
Vince plays goalkeeper for the U-13 Olympic Division Winslow Magic and is a student at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Berlin Township.
Come out on top in Florida and he'll return home with a huge trophy, goalie equipment from the tournament sponsor and the deep satisfaction that accompanies any personal accomplishment.
A goalie "war," in essence, is a five-minute contest pitting two goalies against one another on soccer fields 24 yards long and 22 yards wide.
Two points are awarded whenever one of the participants throws or kicks the ball into his opponent's net from his own box, or 6-yard line, one point if he does so from midfield, or 12-yard line.
No player is permitted to advance past midfield.
"It's really tiring and you're constantly moving, but it's fun," said Vince, who had to win five contests, including the Northeast Regionals at Rutgers University in late October to reach Boca Raton. "It improves your reaction because everything's so much closer."
His mother agreed.
"It's pretty intense," said 34-year-old Vincetta Wilson, a day care teacher and big fan of the one-on-one format.
"The games are a chance for the goalies to get out there and get some competition, to see who else is out there and what they have to offer."
Thus far, after seven games, Vince has allowed only three goals and his team sits atop its division in the South Jersey Soccer League.
Assistant coach Mike Schmid attributes the Magic's success, in part, to Vince's participation in the NGWA-sponsored competition.
"It's taught him some different skills and how to be a little more competitive," the 50-year-old Swedesboro resident said. "He's become a better goalie. Thanks to the Goalie Wars and our trainer, Chris Vaccaro, he's become more aware of the area around the goal and become a very formidable player, very tough."
Founded in 2001 by 39-year-old Jeff Nelson of Bear, Del., a former NCAA Division II Regional All-American, the NGWA's mission is to provide continuing education, training, recognition and support for soccer goalkeepers.
It presents and sanctions local, state, regional and national Goalie War tournaments to fulfill that mission.
"Unfortunately, many coaches still do not provide any coaching or training for their goalkeepers," said Nelson, explaining his decision to get involved.
"They fail to recognize the importance of technical, tactical, physical and integrated training for goalkeepers to develop their shot stopping and shot prevention skills."
Reach Lyford M. Moore at (856)486-2424 or lmoore@courierpostonline.com
