We’ve seen a lot of penalty shootouts recently, with Brisbane Roar and Canberra United in the Westfield W-League and Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League.
By Westfield Matilda Sally Shipard
We-ve seen a lot of penalty shootouts recently, with Brisbane Roar and Canberra United in the Westfield W-League and Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League.
Girls FC’s Sally Shipard took some time out with Brisbane Roar’s goalkeeping queen Casey Dumont. Her efforts in the semi final of the 2010/2011 Westfield W-League helped the Roar girls reach the grand final and take home the silverware.
The focus always seems to be on the ‘penalty kicker-. What if it were your responsibility to save the shots then line up for one yourself? Girls FC chats with Casey, who did precisely that …
Girls FC: We all question the kickers- nerves. How were your nerves during the recent semi final against Canberra United?
Casey: My nerves were all over the place, because I knew I had to try and save as many as I could, then line up and take one for myself.
Girls FC: Do you basically just dive and hope? You can-t honestly predict where the ball is going. Or can you …?
Casey: It-s hard to say. With some people, it is easier to tell. You can sometimes go on the history of the person. For instance Polky, (Clare Polkinghorne) always likes to go the left. Their body positioning and run up is usually a give away too. Most times we just guess. I don-t like confessing that, but that is mostly how it works.
Girls FC: During the shootout you saved a penalty shot from Ellyse Perry. How did that feel?
Casey: I was ecstatic, because it meant we were one ahead. I found I was too caught up in the moment and I forgot that I was next up. Then I noticed Kim Carroll was pointing at me. I knew I had to take one, but I hadn-t realised we were that far in to it. I thought, wow, it-s now my turn.
Girls FC: That must have been difficult to re-focus. Was it hard to regain your composure?
Casey: Yes, at first I was thinking great, now I just have to save one more. But, of course, then it was my turn. Just before I was about to run up and take the kick, I had this huge grin on my face and was shaking my arms and legs. I almost froze, but all of a sudden I relaxed, I reminded myself to enjoy the experience, and that-s what I did. Thankfully it was enough.
Girls FC: What advice have you been given in regards to penalties?
Casey: Always go with your first instinct. Don-t change at the last minute. It will usually end badly.
Girls FC: Do you try and ‘psych- the kicker out in a way?
Casey: No, not really, because there is enough pressure on them already. I just try and focus on myself more so.
Girls FC: As a goalkeeper for the Westfield Matildas, what advice would you give to a fellow aspiring goalkeeper?
Casey: That-s a tough one, as I-ve been given heaps of advice over time. My favourite quote would be: ‘You-re only as good as your next save.- We all make mistakes, but it-s always the next opportunity to make a save or start an attack from the deepest part of a football pitch.
Girls FC: Thanks for your time, Casey, and good luck with your next couple of weeks of placement.
(Casey is currently studying at Kings International College in the Nursing Department. By November this year she will have earned herself a Diploma in Nursing. She will be an endorsed enrolled Nurse (EN). It-s the same qualification as a registered nurse, but will have limitations on certain procedures. Casey will continue her studies and hopes to be a surgeon one day.)
