Post 16 student signed by WSL U21’s

NIA EVANS, one of our Post-16 Football and Education students has been signed on a permanent basis by Head Coach Charlie Baxter for Ipswich Town Women WSL U21 team.

Nia joined our Post 16 Football and Education programme, which is part of our Player Pathway, in September 2020 and is midway through her second year with us, Nia was invited to train and play some trial games with the WSL U21 Academy back in November 2021.

After impressing throughout her trial period, Nia has been signed on a permanent basis and moves up our player pathway to join the WSL U21 Academy, meaning her next step would be to push into the Ipswich Town Women’s 1^st team.
Nia will complete her education with the Community Trust while training and representing the WSL U21 Academy for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

During her first year with Ipswich Town Foundation, Nia was the only female studying and playing at our Portman Road centre. In the 2020/21 season, she played as part of the U18 group participating in the EFLCFA before becoming captain for our girls team in 2021/22 who participate in the AoC (Association of Colleges) Sport league.

Luke Worley, Post 16 Football and Education Manager, said “Nia is a great example of the opportunities which exist for players to progress on our development pathway and an excellent example of the relationship between Ipswich Town Foundation and Ipswich Town Football Club. I am delighted to have had Nia as part of the Post 16 Football and Education programme for the past 18 months. As the only female student last year, she has stepped up to the challenge to progress academically and subsequently in her football career. Nia has been a pleasure to teach and coach over the last 18 months and I wish her every success in the next stage of her career.”

Nia added “I’ve really enjoyed all of my time on the Post 16 programme and feel the coaching and advice I have received over the last 18 months has helped me to improve my game and given me the opportunity to be signed by the U21’s. I chose the Ipswich Town Foundation programme as I felt it was the best options for me to receive a qualification to use for a career in sport, whilst playing and developing on the pitch alongside that. To be involved at a professional club was something that was appealing as well, and to be in an environment with great facilities and access to gyms and in depth analysis.”

Charlie Baxter, Head Coach of WSL U21 Academy said “we are extremely happy to have signed Nia on a permanent basis. In her trial period, she demonstrated all the qualities we look for, both on and off the pitch as an ITWFC player, making it an easy decision for us to sign her. Nia’s journey is an example of recognising that everybody is different and testament to the opportunities we are creating at the club through our growing Girls and Women’s pathway. I look forward to seeing Nia’s continued development with us at ITFC. I’d also like to thank Luke and his team for all their effort and support in this process.”

We wish Nia all the best with the next part of her journey and look forward to watching her continued progression within the women’s game.

If any players are interested in trialling for our Post 16 Football and Education programme, please complete the form on our website HERE or contact Luke Worley via email on luke.worley@itfc.co.uk