About the Author

I fell in love with goalkeeping when I was ten years old in my hometown club Triglav in Kranj, Slovenia. Since then, I played for several clubs, most notably Mladost from Zagreb, Croatia, with whom I won several national titles and two European Champions League titles in water polo. After migrating to Australia in the early 1990s, I won several national titles with Fremantle Mariners. Between 1984 and 2000, I played for (now former) Yugoslavia, Slovenia and Australia at the highest international level. I coached Australian National Water Polo League teams, worked as the Head Coach of Womens Water Polo Programme at Western Australian Institute of Sport, and assisted several male and female Australian Olympic Water Polo Teams and individuals with specialist goalkeeping coaching. I have a Bachelor and Masters research degree in education, my current professional field. Over the past two decades I have worked as a humanities and design teacher in some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged high schools, a researcher and writer in the sociology of education, and an educational coach and mentor to fellow teachers. I live and work in Perth, Western Australia, always keen and curious to hear from people around the world. You can get easily in touch with me via The Love of Goalkeeping or personal social media accounts.

Reviews

"I recommend this unique book to both those seeking the competitive edge or anyone just interested in better understanding goalkeeping and goalkeepers in any sport. The passion for goalkeeping shines through!"Ratko Rudic, 4 x Olympic Champion water polo coach, ISHOF Hall of Fame
"No matter what your sport, this book is a beauty which can be easily read and is full of knowledge and advice. Every coach should have it on their shelf or in their laptop."Ric Charlesworth, dual Olympic Champion hockey coach, author
"Every lay person or a professional coach alike can find in this book things to help them understand how and why the position of a goalkeeper is so unique and important. An ideal mix of experience, knowledge and above all the love of working with and understanding goalkeepers." Aljaz Pavlic, EHF Master Handball Coach
"I wish I had this book when just starting in goals because I see so much of myself in it now. A great resource for novices and veterans alike."Tess Hosking, water polo goalkeeper
"As a mother of a 15 year old, I've realised that I can't influence his choice in being a goalkeeper as opposed to a field player. Thank you Tomaz, your book has given me insight into his need to identify as a goalkeeper and the story he wants to write."Daele Dobson, mother
"Everything written in this book is without doubt relatable to the ongoing challenges of coaching the next generations of goalkeepers. It's a fascinating position with so many components to bring together and assist in performance when it all matters - game day!"Danny Milosevic, Socceroos, Leeds United FC, Perth Glory FC