September 2020 was the launch of the ITFC post 16 Football and Education Programme based at Portman Road with 21 students enrolling, Due to the interest and success of now having 56 students, we are delighted to be able to offer a BRAND NEW partnership with Wivenhoe Town Football Club, giving us the opportunity to offer this exciting opportunity for young people across East Anglia between the ages of 16-19 to continue their academic, footballing and career development through Ipswich Town Football Club and the power of sport.

Ipswich Town Football & Education Students will be based full time at Wivenhoe Football Club, from September 2022 through our education provider SCL Education, with Wednesday matches being held on the main pitch (Weather Dependant), we are hopeful to be work closely with a local facility for the use of their gym and other facilities such as futsal on site which is conveniently located just a short distance away.

Students will have the opportunity to study alongside a full-time football programme; all of which follow a carefully planned pathway of modules to provide our students with a broad range of knowledge and experience whilst remaining linked to potential career pathways in sport at Ipswich Town Football Club.

• NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity; (equivalent of 3 A-levels up to 168 UCAS points)

Numbers for our programme are limited with students needing to meet the entry requirements of 5 GCSE’s at grade 4 or above to include Math’s and English to be accepted first and foremost and then football levels will also be assessed to ensure we are going to be able to compete at the highest level for the leagues identified for their chosen programme in the SCL Development Leagues against the likes of West Ham, Barking, Dartford and Crawley Town.

Unlike other schemes where players are tied to that club, both our Football & Education programmes looks to complement existing grassroots football provision and allow players the freedom to continue playing for their current teams. However, we can assist any player who may be in a transition period from youth football to men’s or women’s football by helping and assisting with the identification of a suitable club for their development such as Wivnehoe Tow FC, Brantham Athletic or other partner clubs that we have.

OPEN EVENT: Thursday 17th February 13:00 – 16:00

If you are still considering your options of an offer or have already accepted your place on the programme, we would be delighted for you to still come along to take part in the practical element of the session also so please follow the link below.

[b]REGISTER HERE: CLICK HERE[/b]

Please see the attached programme Leaflet.

NEWS RELEASE: Wivenhoe Town FC

In addition to this information, we can highlight further the strengths of our programme:

1. The education aspect is delivered by SCL Education staff at an exceptional level with high expectations.

2. The football coaching is taken by UEFA quailed and experienced Ipswich Town staff who will provide a professional environment for which the players to work in.

3. Numbers on the programme are limited so we will be looking to recruit the best players available to us in order to be competitive and represent Ipswich Town FC accordingly.

4. Players represent Ipswich Town against professional clubs and representative sides providing players with the opportunity to exhibit their capability to scouts and coaches.

5. The football club will provide behind the scenes visits to Portman Road and Playford Road Training Centre along with hosting seminars and speeches delivered by past and present staff.

6. Thanks to the flexibility of the NCFE and practical elements of the course students also can move on to university to study a vast array of degrees if they wish and/or career progression in a variety of different roles.

7. Sports Therapy support provided by University of Essex Sports Therapy Students.

8. If wanting to continue down the football route then pathways are open to Scholars to become employees at ITFC in any number of roles or part time coaching work in our community programme.

9. Strength and Conditioning opportunities with partners such as, University of Essex available to all student scholars.

10. Work Experience opportunities will be supplied by working closely with ITFC Community Trust.

11. Match Day tickets provided to students who excel both in the classroom and on the football pitch.