It’s no secret that 2022 is a massive year for Northern Irish football as Kenny Shiels’ team build towards Euro 2022 – a maiden major tournament for the senior women’s side.
Already making history to reach the finals in England this July, NI’s underdog status will be larger than ever with Norway, Austria and the host nation to come.
In preparation, 22 domestic-based players have entered a seven-month full-time professional programme at Newforge in Belfast
It seems strange given the magnitude of the team’s achievement, but Northern Ireland defied the odds to reach one of the biggest stages in the sport as a team largely made up of part-time players.
While there has always been a handful of professional players, the success of this team largely relies on talent, pure grit and desire rather than fitness and professional conditioning. Now, there is a chance for this to change.
