Town will run the Girls’ Advanced Coaching Centre (ACC) in Suffolk during 2019/20 in partnership with the Suffolk FA.

Suffolk FA’s girls’ and women’s football development officer Rebecca Bolton said: “I am really pleased to announce that after detailed consultation and planning with us here at the county FA, we can confirm we have supported ITFC’s successful application for the licence for the ACC for the 2019/20 season.

“Since starting my role with Suffolk FA in 2017 I have worked really hard to better the Suffolk player pathway.

“We are confident that working in partnership with ITFC will be excellent for the female provision within the county and exit routes after U16 as ITFC currently have the FA Women’s U21 East Region Academy who currently play within the FA WSL Academy League.""

“Suffolk FA will continue to run the GDC [Girls’ Development Centre] programme in the 2019/20 season, and the two programmes will still be closely linked. We look forward to working with ITFC to continue to develop the elite female players in Suffolk.”

The ACC sessions will take place at Playford Road on Friday evenings for 29 weeks from early September until the end of the season.

Paige Shorten, Ipswich Town Girls’ ACC centre manager, added: “I’m really excited for the ACC to launch at Ipswich Town FC for the 2019/20 season.

“Over the past four seasons in former roles, I have been heavily involved with Suffolk FA ACC and Norwich ACC in positions such as the centre manager and squad coach.

“We are the only club in the East Region to lead and manage the FA Women’s U21 East Region Academy at Ipswich Town FC (who currently play in the FA WSL Academy League) which develops and supports dual careers for female players in a professional club.

“Moving into next season our female provision will grow to U12, U14, U16, U21 and our women’s first team will continue to develop players, drive high standards and manage the pathway for elite females in Suffolk. This will allow players to access both this pathway and their current grassroots clubs.

“Alongside this Suffolk FA will continue to run the GDC provision for U10, U12, U14 and U16s and we will link closely over the course of the season to support players.

“Finally, I am very keen to work in conjunction with ITFC Boys Academy youth leads to work off a similar coaching framework and follow ITFC and FA philosophy to develop our ACC squads.

“We look forward to meeting all players and parents at the upcoming trials in July where Ipswich Town FC and Suffolk FA will work in partnership to run the trials.”

Photo: TWTD

leftie1972 added 21:32 - Jun 7 A positive move from the club, well done to all!
2

pennblue added 15:32 - Jun 8 I'd like to see the club get more behind the women's team too. There is a fair chance it could grow to become as important as mens football in the future, and we have been slow off the mark imo
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