Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby backs IFA to build new training facility
Tanya Oxtoby is preparing her side for a Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland women’s manager Tanya Oxtoby trusts the Irish FA to deliver a new training facilities.
Ahead of Saturday’s Nations League opener with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva in Dublin, Oxtoby and the team will prepare at Queen’s University’s sporting facility in south Belfast.
Last week, Northern Ireland men’s record goalscorer David Healy criticised the Irish FA for failing to build it’s own bespoke training facility.
But the Australian-born coach, who will take charge of Northern Ireland for the first time on Saturday, is confident that the IFA will eventually deliver a training centre.
She explained: “When I took this job on, there was already a focus on creating a high performance environment.
“There are processes that need to be put in place and steps that need to be taken, but that’s the long-term goal.
“I’m happy with the facilities that I have to work at the moment, but with the view that we (Irish FA) are looking to improve and add to that.
“From my point of view, I have everything I need to perform well but it’s good to know that behind the scenes that things are being worked on, because it’s important to grow the game.
“I’m trusting the guys in the background to do what they need to do to ensure we get to where we need to be.”
While this is Oxtoby’s first training camp as manager, Northern Ireland’s preparations for Saturday’s game in Dublin have been relatively low-key in comparison to their opponents.
The Republic are still reeling from a calamitous World Cup and the sacking of manager Vera Pauw.
On Monday, defender Diane Caldwell claimed that the Republic qualified for Australia ‘in spite’ of the
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