Eleven aspiring young goalkeepers had the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream of meeting their footballing idol recently.
West Ham United women’s team goalkeeper and Poland international, Kinga Szemik, took to the pitch at Parsloes Park as part of the Players’ Project, ready to share her journey, insights and expertise with the next generation of shot-stoppers.
From the moment she stepped onto the pitch under the floodlights, Szemik’s presence was both commanding and approachable. With a career taking her from Poland’s youth system to the French second division and now the Barclays Women’s Super League, she had a wealth of experience to impart. Her journey, she told the young keepers, had begun in an unexpected way.
“I played pretty much everywhere on the pitch, but I was quite tall, so all of the coaches were like, ‘You should be a goalkeeper’, and I just kind of stayed like that,” she explained. The girls laughed, nodding as some of them shared similar experiences of being encouraged into the position.
Throughout the session, Szemik emphasised the importance of mentality, resilience and discipline, qualities that had shaped her as both a player and a person. “Football really built up my character," she continued. "I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it, whatever I do in life, it’s either 100 per cent or nothing.”
As the young goalkeepers engaged in shot-stopping drills, distribution exercises and reaction training, they saw first-hand the level of focus and commitment required to reach the top. Szemik took the time to individually coach each participant, offering tips on hand positioning, footwork and the art of making crucial saves. She also introduced them to her preferred catching technique, emphasising timing and consistency.
Beyond the technical aspects of goalkeeping, Szemik spoke about the pressures of the game and how she manages stress, particularly on matchdays.
She said: "There’s always stress. When I wake up in the morning, I meditate and I visualise myself in the game, what I do and how I do it. That’s how you build confidence.” She shared that even something as simple as a focus-driven mobile game helps her sharpen her mind before stepping onto the pitch.
Her words resonated deeply, particularly with one of the young keepers who had struggled with nerves before big matches. “We can’t go 50/50; you always have to give your maximum effort as the minimum,” Szemik reminded them, instilling a mindset of relentless determination.
Towards the end of the session, a discussion on overcoming adversity left a lasting impact. Szemik recounted her experiences after suffering a significant injury, adding: “We had just won the European Championship at U17 level. Then we had a game that was set for television broadcast, and I had sprained my shoulder really badly. I had to have surgery and was out for six months, and just as I was coming back, I sprained the same shoulder again and was out for eight months, but that really shaped me as a person.”
The young goalkeepers left the session not only with improved skills, but also with a renewed sense of purpose. Kinga Szemik’s journey, resilience and wisdom served as a powerful reminder that success in football and in life often comes from unwavering commitment, self-belief and an unbreakable spirit.
At the West Ham United Foundation, we are proud to bring these moments to life, ensuring that the next generation of female goalkeepers continues to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.
To find out more about the West Ham United Foundation, click HERE.
