When Foothills alumna Mabel Dunn first stepped between the posts, it wasn’t part of a plan. She was a striker in Toronto until her team needed a goalkeeper and nobody volunteered, so the coach drew names from a hat. Hers came up, and what began as a reluctant switch turned into a lifelong passion.
That twist of fate took her through the tiers of youth soccer, to an NCAA scholarship in Michigan, and to a successful college career. In 2022, Mabel moved to Calgary, joined Foothills WFC in the UWS league, and connected with Academy Director Lee Tucker.
Away from the pitch, Mabel teaches phys ed to grades 7–9. During a teachers’ strike in October 2025, she noticed Foothills was running a “Schools Out Strike Camp” and called Lee to ask if she could help. The experience, she says, “made me fall in love with coaching again.”
Foothills’ First In-House Goalkeeper Program
Historically, Foothills relied on outside providers for goalkeeper training. This season, thanks to Mabel’s passion and extensive experience, the club launched its first in-house goalkeeper department.
Her vision is simple but powerful: build brave, supported goalkeepers. In the past, many keepers warmed up on their own; now they have a dedicated coach, a consistent structure, and sessions designed specifically for them.
The program began with APDL keepers, U14 and up, and has already expanded to include Tier 1–3 goalkeepers. The next step is to bring younger players into the fold and help “future goalies who don’t know it yet” discover the position.
What a Session Looks Like
For older players, sessions focus on a repeatable, game-ready routine: strong hand shape and set position, confident footwork and handling, then progressions into diving, extensions, and more advanced techniques. Mabel reminds them that training is where they can make mistakes, push limits, and try new things.
For younger keepers, the emphasis is on fun, movement, and engagement to show that being a goalkeeper is more than simply standing in front of the net. Through lots of small-sided games and activities, she shows them that the goalkeeper is often the strongest player on the field, the one in the best shape, and the “quarterback” of the team.
She also works hard to remove the fear around the position, teaching that conceding a goal doesn’t make you a bad keeper and that every play involves the whole team. A key part of the program is learning to shake off tough moments and move on quickly.
Training the Brain as Well as the Body
Mabel describes her coaching style as empathetic but demanding. She expects hard work while recognizing that not every player can give 100% every day.
She is especially passionate about the mental side of goalkeeping: handling pressure, recovering from mistakes, and playing with confidence.
“You can be the best technical keeper in the world, make one mistake, and then you can’t perform because of fear,” she says. “You have to train the brain as much as the body.”
Her favourite mantra for young keepers:
“Be a goldfish. Forget the mistake and focus on the next play.”
Related Reading: Tips for Overcoming the YIPS in Sports
Mabel also brings insight for older keepers with ambitions beyond club soccer. Having navigated the recruiting process herself, she understands what university coaches look for and how goalkeepers need to present themselves on and off the field to earn opportunities and scholarships.
Building Leaders (and Reassuring Parents)
Mabel knows some parents are hesitant when their child wants to play in goal; her own mom worried about the risks. Her message now is that, with proper training and support, the position can be safe, empowering, and transformational.
The uniqueness of the role builds character, confidence, resilience, and leadership: qualities that transfer far beyond the pitch.
Related Reading: Advice for Parents of Goalkeepers
Women in Sport: “Be the Coach I Wish I Had”
Foothills’ new goalkeeper program also supports the club’s Women in Sport focus, with a female coach leading both girls and boys.
Growing up, Mabel had mostly male coaches. The most influential figure in her journey was a goalkeeper coach who constantly told her he could see her playing in big stadiums. That belief, she says, gave her the confidence to pursue a Div 1 scholarship and showed her how powerful a coach’s words can be.
Now, she wants to be that kind of coach for the next generation, especially for girls. It’s different coaching female athletes, she explains, and it takes empathy, understanding, and language that reflects their experience.
“Female coaches can bring that lived experience,” she says. “I want to be the coach I wish I had.”
With Mabel at the helm of Foothills’ first in-house goalkeeper program, young keepers across the club now have a place to grow, be brave, and own the most demanding (and arguably rewarding) position on the pitch.
Watch Mabel demonstrate a cross transition with a throw for CBC.
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