Personal Statement
To the coaches reading this i would like to thank you all for taking your time in getting to know my sporting background.
My name is George Wehbe and i am currently attending my final year in school in Jordan and i am extremely motivated by the idea of playing college level soccer and becoming the true student athlete. Academically, after graduating high-school i plan on studying International Business and Entrepreneurship and pursuing a Masters Degree.
Personally, playing soccer in University is something that I wish and hope to do. As everyone, i started playing football at a very young age which turned competitive at U14's level. since then i have been part of teams/clubs that have won numerous accolades and trophies. Along with this i have multiple individual rewards for my contribution and performances throughout seasons and in individual matches.
Having started playing soccer as a striker I soon gravitated to becoming a goalkeeper due the sheer thrill and excitement it brings. As a goalkeeper i thrive on the idea of being the last line of defense. the responsibilities and pressure of being a goalkeeper is something that i have embraced tremendously.
I genuinely believe I am a complete goalkeeper, saying this I am very aware that currently I am far from reaching my full potential however my game is extremely well balanced. Importantly, as the beautiful game has developed, the idea of a 'sweeper keeper' has become extremely prominent. this is a part of the game which I have emphasized on getting right and thus i believe that one of my main strengths is rushing out and stopping one on ones as well as eliminating any possible danger that could result in a goal. Decision making in this aspect is crucial and is something i have become very good at. timing when to rush out and stop an attack.
On top of this, being a sweeper keeper requires great communication with the back-line so that each defender is aware and organized. I have put a lot of emphasis in developing this part of my game. Being a leader from the back organizing the defense and commanding your area is vital for a goalkeeper as the job of a goalkeeper isn't just to stop shots, its to prevent any possibilities of goal-scoring chances being built up. I am very confident in my communication skills and giving instructions and orders to outfield players.
Furthermore, as i have previously stated; starting out as a striker gives me a superior advantage to many goalkeepers, especially in the era of modern day football. I pride myself on my footwork, ball -skills and touch. As a goalkeeper i love receiving the ball and am extremely confident not only in using my hands, but my feet to. I have a very good passing range and never feel unsettled or scared by the prospect of back-passes or being closed down due to my footwork, and ability on the ball. In terms of shot-stopping and handling, this is the main reason i love being a goalkeeper. the idea of diving and saving shots, doing everything possible to stop goals going in, for me is much more satisfying than scoring them. In terms of shot stopping my diving style is quite acrobatic however i persist on catching the ball whenever the opportunity presents itself. I try to eliminate any unnecessary parries that will put my team in danger, when the chance presents itself.
Throughout my soccer career thus far i have won many trophies and been part of some of the leading clubs in the Middle East. Having played for teams called Dubai United and TFA, i have won the Dubai Sports Council league on every occasion from U14's level up to U18's level bar one season. Moreover, i have also won many tournaments and competed in some against teams from all over the world including football academies in England and the US during my participation in the NYC cup. I believe that the competitiveness and successes i have achieved with my teams gives me a competitive edge and has really developed my mindset and winning mentality. Additionally, the coverage and exposure to playing teams from around the world has provided me with an understanding of the level and competitiveness soccer is played at in these countries. Training in Jordan with the professional club 'Shabab Ordon' U18's has further improved my level of the game in a mental aspect due to the harsh demands of an environment in a country like Jordan.
My personal achievements and accolades is something i am also very proud of, having captained my school team at U16s level and winning player of the year two years in a row during my time in attending that school. along with this i have numerous Man of the Match rewards and saves of the tournament to go along with this.
I hope this gives you a clear understanding in regards to my athletic background. Once more thank you for taking the time to read this.
I would be absolutely delighted and honoured to be considered for representing a university and soccer team.
George.
