FOR any team to be successful it not only needs quality players but also high calibre backroom staff.

And Plymouth Argyle Ladies have that in first team goalkeeping coach Jason Haswell.

The 28-year-old was a promising shot-stopper for St Dominick until a head injury scuppered his ambition to play at a higher level.

Having also played for SB Frankfort, Elburton Villa, Millbrook and Ivybridge, he was coaching SB Frankfort (2013-16) until Argyle manager Dave Leonard asked him to join his backroom team as goalkeeping coach.

“There is nothing more I would like than to be doing than playing football but for health reasons I was advised by the doctor to stop playing,” said Haswell. “But I had a conversation with Len’s (Leonard) when he was first at Argyle as they were looking for a new goalkeeping coach and it was a no brainer really.”

Haswell has become a popular coach and has worked hard with the likes of Michaela Philips, Lindsay Rogers and, this season, Ben Kyle.

With Kyle deciding to call it a day this summer, Haswell will be looking to bring on talented youngsters such as Maddie Walsh and Maisie Frickleton, while also keeping a look out for new talent.

During the lockdown he has been doing a social media goalkeeping coaching classes.

“I really enjoyed doing that, it was really good – it gave me something to focus on while in lockdown,” said Haswell. “I felt that if we could get younger kids playing at a better level in grassroots football it can only benefit us (Plymouth Argyle) in years to come.

“I like doing sessions where you go straight back to basics. I’m not saying that older players can’t develop because sometimes it’s good to have a refresher, but I wanted to get across that anyone can do this in any space. I wanted to show that they may not have a lot of outdoor space but doing the basics that will help in the future

“We have WhatsApp groups and we’ve had Zoom chats with the goalkeepers. The girls have their training schedules but we don’t want to push football, football, football. It is easy with Zoom to get hold of players and time to reflect set goals for next season.

“We have a couple of promising youngsters such as Maddie (Walsh) and Maisie (Frickelton) who not only work hard but they listen so our future is really bright.”