What is common to goalkeepers … in all sports?
Press release
What is common to goalkeepers across sports?
Perth goalkeeping expert answers the global question
After migrating from the territories of the former Yugoslavia, a water polo powerhouse, with two European Champions League and numerous national titles to his name, Tomaz Lasic helped Fremantle Mariners win the first in the string of Australian National League championships in 1998. After racking up over 100 representative caps in goals for Australia, Tomaz Lasic coached and mentored elite water polo players and specialised in working with goalkeepers. His many successful proteges include the winners of gold and bronze Olympic medals. In addition to his international water polo experience, Tomaz had also stood in soccer, futsal and handball goals at a local, amateur level.
When his younger son fell in love with soccer, not water polo, goalkeeping, Tomaz started engaging with soccer goalkeeping specialists and soon noticed the incredible similarities in goalkeeping and working with goalkeepers across different sports. He decided to tackle the question that had been swirling in his head for nearly three decades: “What is common to goalkeepers in all sports?’ The result is his new book “The Love of Goalkeeping: Many Sports, One Love”.
The question seems odd at first but when examined more closely, the opportunities and challenges goalkeepers share across sports are truly astounding. His brand new book is not a strictly technical coaching manual in a particular sport nor a biography. It is a world-unique exploration of many demands and characteristics of goalkeeping that seem to consistently match across sports with a goalkeeper (football, futsal, field and ice hockey, handball, water polo, lacrosse, hurling and others). There is much to share and learn from each other!
The book combines Tomaz’s own experience as a goalkeeper and coach in different sports. It includes research across various fields, survey responses and conversations with over one hundred goalkeepers, coaches and families of goalkeepers across many sports, countries, genders, ages and expertise levels.
‘The Love of Goalkeeping: Many Sports, One Love’ is written in a way that ensures that either a lay person, junior goalkeeper, professional coach or sports commentator can find in it things to help them in understanding and appreciating the demanding, sometimes quirky and wonderfully rich world of goalkeeping, no matter what the sport.
The book is also a family affair and not just for the prowess between the posts. The beautiful minimalist illustrations that frame the chapters are the work of Tomaz’s son Sebastian, a 15 year old budding graphic media student.
In the book’s Foreword, the dual Olympic winning hockey coach and recognised Australian sporting legend Ric Charlesworth writes how this comprehensive and easily readable companion to understanding and working with goalkeepers is “a must for every coach in every sport with a goalkeeper”. In addition to coaches, Lasic’s labour of love and passion for goalkeeping will be welcomed by a range of readers that have either tasted or are simply curious about goalkeeping.
The book is available from theloveofgoalkeeping.net website and all major online retailers in both print or ebook format. Signed copies and bulk discounts for clubs and organisations are available via theloveofgoalkeeping.net together with other services offered by the author.
The official book launch took place on Thursday, 26 November 2020 at the WA Institute of Sport, featuring some of Australia’s finest sporting past, present and future sporting names in goalkeeping and beyond.
Tomaz is available for interviews, book signings and appearances. You can contact him by email tomaz@theloveofgoalkeeping.net or via the book’s website or its Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.
