Anyone who’s played a pick up game and fired a cracker over a make shift “goal post”, aka your buddy’s backpack, and had the subsequent “it would have been off the post and in” debate knows the frustration of not having proper nets. I know in Winnipeg players flock to the few spots in the city with suitable nets for 5 a side matches, but those are rarely ever sustained for random community play. Ever tried to use the small pitch at Grant Park? Well don’t because South End United reserves those fields for their league matches without exception and coaches will come and remove you (believe me I know). Laura Secord School had a great pick up scene for a few summers but have since removed the Futsal nets they had there after complaints that “children might climb on them and fall”.
The need for portable nets that allow any suitable patch of grass to be transformed into a pitch is clear, but where to look for a net that will actually deliver a quality playing experience is not. Thats why I was intrigued when I noticed the MSA website officially endorsing the iGoal. As with most endorsements I started off bordering on skepticism, I haven’t heard of many MSA programs making use of these nets, and the URL on the MSA page featuring the iGoal is simply “marketing”. Ever since I was once suckered by punchy “marketing” and found the product did not, in fact, allow me to slap my troubles away, I’m a lot more willing to do my homework before getting excited about a purchase. And, thanks to the miracle of the Internet, please allow my homework to become yours.
To begin, lets look at what the iGoal promises us.
So its compact to transport, easy to set up and stands up to goals. Unfortunately, so do many others. Or at least so they claim. What impresses me about the iGoal in particular is that while those other nets will feature the same “easy set-up” videos, I have NEVER seen anyone hit the post in their media. The Golme net in particular I remember a teammate posting the link on our team’s page a year ago, and the overwhelming consensus is that any hard shot and it would fold like Ronaldo. Reading through testimonials and seeing the video myself, I believe that the ball reacts properly when hitting the iGoal, or at least doesn’t fall apart since its inflated, which is instantly a tipping point in its favor. That last quip about Ronaldo was actually in poor taste, he’s coping with a serious ankle injury. But hey, don’t give interviews where you say you’re worth eleventybillion dollars, and maybe I won’t wish bad things happen to you. But I digress.
The other bonus is the fact that the iGoal comes in 7 different sizes, including for my money, the most important Futsal (3m x 2m) sized net. Mark my words, if the already established leagues can register a few more full sized teams so much the better, but the popularity of soccer in Canada will only start to explode when players are able to enjoy smaller, more improvement oriented pick up games more easily. These nets are PERFECT for those kinds of 5 a side impromptu games. Since travelling over seas and returning I’ve done nothing but annoy my friends over how much I miss soccer on smaller fields/cages, where having an established, public area with quality nets invites passerby and different groups to come enjoy soccer together. While we as Manitobans may always be at a disadvantage when it comes to creating this kind of space thanks to our short summers and winters where you’re at the mercy of indoor venues and the rates they charge, nets like the iGoal could allow high foot traffic areas like Assiniboine Park to be important real-estate for pick up games.
If any readers actually see these nets in action in MSA programs, write us and tell us what you think of them. I’m imploring you the readers because I suspect if these are going to make their debut anywhere it will be in the youth programs and camps. Being without a child myself, and also unwilling to be that guy who goes alone and sits in on children practising, I’m hoping any parents or coaches who care about the local game can act as embedded reporters.
I would like 2 please, maybe a third one for my apartment only.
Haha yeah, these look pretty unreal. I think I’m gonna buy one. Too bad we’re only finding out about these as winter starts…although I guess we can find community centers and just bring one of these inside and play some indoor soccer.
MikeG,
I am the owner of GOLME and would like to send you a Professional Training Goal to test for yourself. If it’s not the strongest portable regulation-size training goal you can keep it for free. I will also bet it’s easier to setup and transport than any competitive product.
Love the blog,
GM
Hey Graham,
Didn’t mean to disrespect your product at all, please email me at mikeg@thelocalgame.com so we can talk.
You didn’t. You brought up valid points that we as a company need to better address. While I will not divulge exactly how many GOLME Professional Training Goals we have sold (for competitive reasons), I can tell you it’s in the four digit range. Of that we have had just four returns, three of which were manufacturing defect and replaced. We would sell a lot more if this myth of a “unstable portable goal” is addressed properly- and it starts right here on blogs like yours.
I will email you to see about sending one.
GM
I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.