Brave Warriors fitness scientist Garren Smith says the team’s fitness levels will be crucial for the upcoming international friendly against South Africa and 2024 Chan qualifiers.
Speaking to NFA last week, Smith said the team has a well-planned training programme with a multi-faceted approach to increasing physical ability and strength.
“The timing of this week’s training is crucial. Most, if not all, players started their pre-season training with their respective clubs. This alignment increases the affinity between the national team and clubs so that our training programmes are in sync, and this helps us to build a strong foundational fitness level to guarantee top performance output,” Smith stated.
He added that the transition from club to national team demands an integration of fitness levels, skills, and tactical understanding, which then become the difference between good and world-class performances on the field.
“We will target various energy systems, such as aerobic and anaerobic, to optimise the players’ overall performance. By addressing these energy systems through carefully designed training programmes, we aim to equip the players with the physical capacity to excel in different game scenarios,” he said.
Smith summed up the significance of the ongoing training week by stating that, “The past week was not only a vital preparatory phase but also a strategic initiative to elevate our players’ fitness levels; preparation is not merely about physical conditioning but also about building a mental and strategic edge that can make all the difference in high-stakes matches.”
The Brave Warriors kicked off their training last week in the absence of head coach Collin Benjamin, who is joining the team today.