Football in Sauna: Local Team in Dolní Němčí Gains Attention, National Player’s Father Supports Initiative

Residents of Dolní Němčí, a small town in the Czech Republic, are abuzz after a local football team, Štamgasty, announced an unconventional training method involving saunas, with the father of a national team player expressing public support for the initiative, according to local media reports.

Unusual Training Method Sparks Local Interest

The Štamgasty football club, which competes in the Czech Fourth Division, revealed plans to incorporate sauna sessions into their weekly training regimen, a move intended to enhance player recovery and mental resilience. The idea, proposed by head coach Ján Novák, aims to simulate high-stress environments and improve team cohesion, according to a statement from the club.

“Sauna sessions will be used to replicate the physical and psychological demands of competitive matches,” Novák said in a press conference. “It’s a way to push our players beyond traditional training methods.”

The team’s decision has drawn both curiosity and skepticism. Local residents, however, have largely embraced the initiative, with some attending sauna sessions to support the club. The town’s community center, which houses the team’s facilities, reported a 40% increase in attendance since the announcement.

National Player’s Father Endorses the Approach

The initiative gained additional attention when the father of Tomáš Vlček, a midfielder for the Czech Republic national team, publicly endorsed the sauna training. Vlček, who plays for FK Jablonec, has not commented directly on the method but expressed support for his father’s statement.

“As a parent, I believe any effort to help young athletes grow is valuable,” said Vlček’s father, Petr Vlček. “If this approach helps Tomáš or others in the future, I’m all for it.”

Tomáš Vlček, 24, has been a key player for the Czech national team since his debut in 2020.