"People from outside don't know how difficult it is to be goalkeeper"
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
MEET OUR TEAM
When our founding member started out as a goalkeeper at age 11, his club offered no goalkeeper coaching whatsoever. That experience of developing his skills independently without professional guidance and later sparked the drive to build a solution that would give future goalkeepers better support, direction, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our mission is to share knowledge, help goalkeepers advance in their careers, and support them in becoming the best they can be whether that means going pro or simply maximizing their own personal level. The Keeper's Choice team brings together over 25 years of goalkeeper coaching experience, a playing background in Finland's and Estonia's top leagues, and close collaboration with physical therapists and other specialists.
Robert Barton
Role: Head Goalkeeper Coach, Keeper's Choice
Robert leads the Keeper's Choice operation and oversees all coaching programs, camps, and projects within the Keeper's Choice division. He is the lead voice on coaching and player development within our team.
Robert has 9 years of experience coaching goalkeepers. He has worked with complete beginners as well as experienced adults, and at the heart of his coaching philosophy is individual goalkeeper development, leveraging each player's strengths, and creating an energizing and safe training environment. Robert places a strong emphasis on teaching fundamental technique and building a solid foundation for every goalkeeper's career.
As a player, Robert has competed in the Finnish Ykkönen and other men's leagues, and played college soccer in the United States. He continues to compete at a high level today.
robert(at)solidathlete.fi
Martti Puolakainen
Role: Coach & CEO of The Solid Athlete Oy
Martti is a coach on the Keeper's Choice coaching team and serves as CEO of The Solid Athlete Oy. He oversees all company operations and leads projects outside of the Keeper's Choice division.
Martti has over 17 years of experience coaching goalkeepers, from beginners all the way to the professional level. He has coached in the Finnish Veikkausliiga and continuously develops his expertise as a coach and football specialist. As a player, Martti has competed at the Veikkausliiga level, in a top division abroad, and represented the Estonian youth national team.
martti(at)solidathlete.fi
