This is the second time we have covered a coach’s choice of footwear for his team and the first time in this article.
It is no surprise that coaches often prefer footwear that is comfortable for their players and that are easy to remove and store.
We also wanted to explore the shoes themselves as well as the trainers that they use and how they are used.
There is a growing trend of coaches switching trainers during training and there are also more options than ever for those who do not want to spend a fortune.
There is also the question of whether the coaches own trainers should be allowed to change, or at least not be the sole supplier of the shoes.
As we have seen with previous footwear choices, the coach has a great deal of freedom to make the choice and many do so.
The following is a look at a few of the most common trainers that are used by coaches in the Irish game and the most popular brands in terms of popularity.
A.
The ‘Nike’ Coach shoe: The Nike ‘Naked’ is a classic trainers, first introduced in 1984 by the New Zealand Warriors and first worn by Ireland’s Eddie O’Sullivan.
Nike introduced the Nike ‘Ski Boot’ in 1986 as part of their ‘Nerf’ line and the Nike “Ski” series of shoes has been worn by many Irish players since.
The Nike “Naked” shoes were also used by the Australian Kangaroos, Ireland’s Wallabies and the Australian side in the 2015 Rugby Championship, the Australian Grand Slam and the 2015 World Cup.
“A great pair of shoes” is the tag line on the back of the Nike’s, so it’s not surprising that they have remained the go-to shoes of many Irish rugby players.
In the early years of the current generation of trainers, there was an increasing trend for coaches to use a trainer in which they could remove and reuse a pair of slippers.
When the Irish Rugby Union first introduced the “Nike” trainers in 1988, the shoe was the only trainer available for Irish rugby, so coaches used these trainers extensively to train for the 2014 World Cup and then for the 2015 European Championships.
They have become a staple of training in Irish rugby today, with the ‘Nikes” being worn by most players in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
If you are interested in reading more about Irish trainers, check out our review of the best trainers in Ireland.
B.
The “Woolsey” Trainer shoe: Originally designed by John Woosnam for the New South Wales Rugby Union, the “Wooly” was introduced by the North Queensland Cowboys in 1986.
The original Woolsey was designed for the Irish national team and it has been the only shoe worn by the team since.
John Woosham’s Woolsey is still worn by a number of Irish players, including a number in the Rugby Championship.
With the introduction of the “New Wave” trainers, many coaches in Ireland are now using the original Woolseys, which are still used by many of their players.
This is a good choice for those that do not wish to wear the original version.
Another option for Irish players to wear is the original “Woosham” trainers.
These trainers were introduced by New Zealand’s Rugby Union in the early 1990s and have remained a popular option for many Irish coaches, including some in the current Ireland squad.
Despite being worn almost exclusively by Irish players in recent years, the original and “Woose” versions of these trainers remain a staple in the Ireland kit.
C.
The Classic Boot Trainer shoe by Adidas: Introduced by the Ireland Rugby Union as part in their “NewWave” trainers series, the Classic Boot trainer shoe was introduced in 1992 by the Irish team.
After the introduction to the Classic Boots, there has been a gradual shift towards a more modern approach to wearing the shoes, with a number that feature a new design.
At the start of this decade, Ireland wore the Classic Footwear trainers, which featured a new and improved mesh lining.
Since the introduction, the shoes have become popular among Irish players.
The shoes were first worn on the Wallabies tour of Europe in 2016, but they have also been worn in the past by a few Irish players including: Sam Cane, Matt Toomua, Connor Farrell, Tom Crotty, Paul O’Connell and Kenny Ryan.
D.
The Coach’s ‘Buck’ Trainer shoe and the ‘Sock’ trainer: Introduced in 1995, the Coach’s “Buck” trainers were first used by Ireland in the 2003 World Cup, with other teams wearing the boots in the European Championships in 2012.
While they are now worn by Irish coaches throughout the year, the Boot, Boot with a ‘S’ on the front, and the Coach have been used by players
