Before Covid-19 surfaced in early 2020, trips to Portugal were very much a regular feature of The New Saints’ pre-season plans.
Since the onset of the pandemic though, and the various restrictions that have ensued, we’ve been unable to make the trip to the Algarve coast for the last two seasons.
This year though, with things starting to get back on track, Browns Sports Resort is once again the venue for the pre-season visit.
We’re ramping up our Champions League preparations with a pre-season camp in Portugal this week.
We’ve just checked in at Birmingham Airport ahead of our flight shortly. pic.twitter.com/G8HcVnPbcQ
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) June 6, 2022
After a mid-morning flight from Birmingham, we landed in Faro just before 2pm. From there, a short coach journey to the resort followed, and we had lunch immediately on arrival.
Once everyone had finished eating, it was straight to work, as the players were out on the training pitch to begin their programme for the week.
You can see a montage of footage from the session in the embedded tweet below. The squad faced a tough test in the 29°C temperatures, but that’s exactly what the trip is all about.
After a quick break for lunch, we’ve had our first training session this afternoon.
It was 29°C out on the pitch, so conditions have been challenging for the players. pic.twitter.com/oqVQ2mR0n5
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) June 6, 2022
When the on-field work was done, it was straight into the gym, where the champions of Wales were put through their paces by Head of Sports Science and Player Performance, Tom Noon.
Following more food, the group then retired to their rooms to rest up for what’s sure to be another intensive day tomorrow.
There are now just eight days to go until the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw, and the club is leaving no stone unturned in regards to the preparation.
Welcome to Portugal 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Ea6EmADQow
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) June 6, 2022
