Whitsun Half-Term Roundup

The Whitsun half-term has been busy for the Ipswich Town Foundation, with sessions and events running throughout the week.

Our ever-popular Soccer Schools returned, starting with Soccer Schools at Portman Road and Stowupland High School on Tuesday, and followed by another session at Portman Road and one at Thurston Community College on Friday. Across the four Soccer Schools, the Foundation reached over 250 young people, with all sessions completely sold out. Throughout the day, participants of our Soccer Schools are given an opportunity to receive coaching from qualified Foundation coaches, taking part in fun football themed activities including small sided games.

Also starting on Tuesday were the Foundation’s popular Holiday Camps, held at schools across Ipswich and the surrounding areas. The Foundation hosted sessions at Castle Hill Junior and Infant School and Claydon Primary School from Tuesday to Friday, and at Chantry Academy on Thursday and Friday. Our Holiday Camps also provide young people with an opportunity to engage in football-based provision during school holidays, with the camps giving them a chance to win prizes.

This Whitsun saw U9-U16 representatives from the Foundation’s Advanced Training Centres at Needham, Mildenhall and Great Notley travel to Gunnersbury Park to take part in round robin fixtures versus Brentford and Cheltenham across two days. There was some really good football on display from all teams with positive outcomes that followed. Other parents and coaches were very complimentary of each age group – a testament to the coaching teams from each centre.

The Foundation was also present at Trinity Park for the Suffolk Show across Wednesday and Thursday this week. The delivered inflatable activities that proved to be very popular across both days. Attendees of the show were able to try out the Foundation’s new Speedshot and Foot-Pool activities, both provided by the money donated to the Foundation by Steve Kirby through Vodafone’s VeryMe campaign. Staff also manned an information stand, sharing the work that the Foundation undertakes in the community and answering any questions, whilst the Sky Bet League One Runners Up Trophy was also present at the Foundation’s stand at different points across the two days, giving supporters a photo opportunity to remember the Club’s successful campaign.

Wednesday also saw the Foundation and Suffolk New College host an Information Evening for prospective Post 16 students and parents to discuss the new programme following the partnership announced last week. Robert Peace, Head of Education and Employability at the Foundation, delivered the talk and answered questions from those in attendance. For any questions regarding the Post 16 Football & Education programme, contact Robert at robert.peace@itfc.co.uk.

Our Boys Development Tour to Scotland, organised in association with NSX Group, got underway on Thursday, with participants departing Portman Road at 6.30AM to travel by coach. On Friday, the participants have had an opportunity to receive training sessions at Rangers’ training facilities and a tour of Ibrox Stadium – a fantastic experience for them all.

To find out more about the work that the Ipswich Town Foundation undertake in the community, visit itfcfoundation.co.uk or contact community@itfc.co.uk for any questions.