Brooklyn Peacock - Aged 16 - Trial For Peterborough United

Brooklyn Peacock - Aged 16 - Trial For Peterborough United

 

16-year-old goalkeeper Brooklyn Peacock was scouted by for Peterborough United at our Essex trial in October.

 

We caught up with Brooklyn to gain more of an understanding of his football history, why he chose to attend our event and what has happened since.

 

So firstly Brooklyn, could you please talk us through your football history and why you chose to become a keeper?

 

“Where do I start? Although I’m just 16, I’ve been invested in football since I was four. I actually started as an outfielder for a local team - and that swiftly ended when I realised how much running was required (I didn’t have quite the leg length I have now you see!) but I noticed that the goalkeeper didn't move around as much - now that looked interesting.”

 

“Me being a four-year-old just wanting to make some friends and play a sport, saw this an opportunity which “looked easy” - how wrong was I. If I could tell my four-year-old self I train six days a week, I don’t think he would have chosen goalkeeping.” 

 

“After choosing to become a goalkeeper I joined my first team in this position - The Woodston Dynamo's. I was so scared about diving, but that soon passed as I become more confident and experienced.”

 

“Two years in, I was still dedicated to goalkeeping and my mum decided to book some private training sessions - these were to work on form, communication and confidence. Now this was my first experience of a trial. The coach said he had never taken anyone so young and wanted me to trial to see my potential. He was the first person outside of my family who saw my potential.”

 

“So I had the private training sessions with Kevin Oldham for four years - and they were tough. At the age of 10, I joined Cambridge United's goalkeeping development centre. I was lucky enough to go on tour with them to Holland. Here I played two fixtures.”

 

“My goalkeeping coach, Gary Dean who currently still trains me now, has coached me since I started at Cambridge. I have been with him for six years now, and he has seen me grow not only as a goalkeeper, but as a person too.” 

 

“Gary left and went to St Neots, and I remained training with him three days a week for St Neots goalkeeping academy.”

 

“In-between all of my training, I played for FC United Hammers where we won the league and the league cup. They then went on to become Yaxley FC. I was also a part of the Peterborough United Shadow Squad. Here we played numerous teams such as Norwich City, Mansfield Town, MK Dons, Luton Town, Cambridge United and many more.”

 

“And that's the journey so far...”

 

Wow, you’ve had quite the background! With all of this experience and exposure, what was the reason you chose to attend our events?

 

“It all comes down to readiness. My first trial at UK football trials was when I was 14 years old. I attended the trial to see my ability.”

 

“A week went by and I received an offer from Watford FC. I was fortunate enough to get four weeks worth of a high quality football sessions with them. But at the end of the day, I was just 14 and still had so much to learn and develop.”

 

“More than a year went by and even though I greatly improved myself as a player, I was still working hard to get that opportunity I was dreaming of - to show coaches what I could do and bring to the team.”

 

“This is why I decided to return and attend the trials in October. I felt I was so much stronger, faster and better than I have ever was before. I was ready.”

 

Your decision clearly paid off with you being scouted! How did you find the trial with us?

 

“As I’m over 6ft tall and have packed quite a bit of experience in already, the coaches at the trial decided to put me in with the adults.” 

 

“At first we had a possession game and it was here that I realised that playing alongside adults enhanced my abilities and made me feel even more confident.” 

 

“After this possession game, the coach put the outfielders in two teams for a shooting contest and the team with the fewest amount of goals were set to complete a forfeit. Even though this trial is serious and potentially life changing, the coaches always incorporated a lot of fun in the sessions.” 

 

“Then the adults and I were split into two teams and went into two 20-minute games. When the games were about to start, I felt like this is my opportunity to showcase what I'm capable of.” 

 

“When the games finished, the other keepers and I were lucky enough to train with goalkeeper coach, Billy Stewart, for two hours and be assessed by him.”

 

“During this session, we incorporated all of the skills of a keeper so that we could show Billy our abilities. Later in the day, new trialists came along - again we went into another set of two 20-minute games. However, this time I was told to go with my own age group.”

 

“The trial then ended and at the end of every session, you get handed a feedback sheet from your coach. This features categories A-D on each set of abilities. When I got handed the sheet by Billy, I was so happy to see that I received all A's and one B. This helped me to see where I am as a player and also what areas I need to improve on.”

 

And moving onto your session with Peterborough, how did that go?

 

My first experience with the youth team was really enjoyable. At the start of every session, the gym instructor wanted us to do some agility work, which incorporated stretching techniques as well.”

 

“Usually then the outfielders would do shooting drills from a mix of close range and long-range shots. Then the youth team went into little game with a maximum of three-a-side with a floating player in the middle - this means we have less time to think about our next move before a player closes you down.”

 

“During my time in the youth team, I was lucky enough to get called over from Mark Tyler, the first-team goalkeeping coach for Peterborough United. I had a little session with him before I went in with the outfielders. This was a great experience.”

 

That is amazing! Has there been any decision made by Peterborough yet?

 

“This is currently on-going and no decision has been formally made as of yet. But we’re looking forward to hearing from them!”

 

My final question for you Brooklyn is what advice would you give to players who think they have the talent but need an opportunity to get scouted?

 

“My advice is to go into the trails with confidence. If you go in with confidence, you’ll perform with confidence. But most of all, work hard, never give up and always follow your dream.”

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