VERA PAUW HAS explained the reasoning behind her Republic of Ireland Womenโs National Team [WNT] home-based training squad amidst concerns and questions.
Training sessions for home-based players ahead of international windows have been commonplace in recent times, but this was highlighted when the squad was announced publicly yesterday.
Nine Womenโs National League [WNL] clubs are represented in this edition, which trains atย FAI HQ today.
Several players including Amanda Budden, Keeva Keenan, Shauna Fox, Jessie Stapleton and Abbie Larkin hail from Shelbourne, who were in Champions League action in Slovenia last Thursday and Sunday, and return to domestic duty on Saturday.
CONFIRMED | WNT Home-Based Squad
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) August 23, 2022
๐ฃ 9 #WNL clubs represented
๐ฃ Wednesday's session will be in FAINTC
*๐๐๐๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ฉ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฎ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ pic.twitter.com/XkLONIDWpY
Questions were raised on social media after the squad was named, with player welfare concerns shared. As one tweet read, โIs the home based training squad beneficial to players or just a box ticking exercise for FAI and Vera?ย Midweek session for all players in height of season? Shels players just back from CL?โ
Pauw herself responded to the resultant thread today, agreeing with another suggestion that she โfelt it was a benefit to them and they were in her plans going forwardโ.
โTrue, that is the only reason,โ the Dutch coach wrote,ย clarifyingย her aim to bring experienced squad members and fringe players together for a session, while managing load.
True, that is the only reason. Some explanation will help understanding. The HBS is a training, not a game. So we can make sure they get the right load after a heavy week. Having the opportunity to get them in with the highest potential players (pressure) is a real bonus in this.
— Vera Pauw (@verapauw) August 24, 2022
โSome explanation will help understanding. The HBS [home-based squad] is a training, not a game. So we can make sure they get the right load after a heavy week. Having the opportunity to get them in with the highest potential players (pressure) is a real bonus in this.
โOptimal periodisation: Sun. Game / Mon. Recovery + travel / Tues. Off / Wed. Starting the motor (under pressure) / Thurs. Tactical tr. / Fri. Tactical tr. / Sat. Game. This brings the risk on injuries down! We take care of the load. Sharp actions, but low volume, not the other way around!โ
The home-based training squad announcement was discussed on The42โs The Football Family podcast yesterday, with Shane Keegan questioning the ongoing absence of Wexford Youths great Kylie Murphy.
Pauw will name her Ireland WNT squad for their crucial next international window on Friday morning. The Girls In Green welcome Finland to Tallaght Stadium next Thursday, where a win would secure a 2023 World Cup play-off spot. They travel to Slovakia for their final group game the following Tuesday.ย