The ITFC Academy is a core part of the club’s strategy to achieve Premier League status, and, for their part, will ensure they are coaching and developing players of the highest possible standard to develop players of first team potential. The Academy has three distinct parts and is a proven pathway for players to progress to the highest level of youth development.
The pathway starts with the Elite Player Development Programme (PDP) and progresses to the Centre of Excellence Squads (CoE), which in turn can lead to The Academy.
The entry level is the Elite Player Development Programme (PDP) where players are identified by the club’s scouts and invited in for trials. Following a successful trial the player will be invited to join the programme. Should the player be consistently performing at a high level and demonstrating a positive mental attitude there is an opportunity to progress to the Centre of Excellence Squads (CoE) which is a shadow squad for The Academy.
Teddy Bishop, Kundai Benyu, George Fowler, Ben Morris and Jack Lankester are examples that the Elite PDP and CoE Programmes is a proven pathway to the Academy and potentially a professional contract.
Teddy BishopProfessional Contract
Teddy Bishop entered the ITFC Academy as an U9 following his U8 season spent with the Cambridge PDP. He made his breakthrough season in the 2014/15 year after a string of exciting performances under Mick McCarthy.
Jack LankesterProfessional Contract
Jack was born in Bury St Edmunds and grew up supporting Ipswich Town. He joined the Ipswich youth system at the age of 6, progressing through the Bury PDP initially onto the academy before earning a scholarship at the age of 14. Jack went on to play for the U18’s, U23’s earning himself a professional contract in August 2018. After making his debut against QPR in October 2018 he is now a regular member of the first team squad.
Ben MorrisProfessional Contract
England U17 Striker Ben Morris, who has now got two Caps for his Country at this level, began with ITFC as an U8 with Bury PDP. He signed a Professional Contract in July for the start of the 2016/17 season.
The Ipswich Way
The 'Ipswich Way' has produced quality footballers with a high technical ability and a strong winning mentality. The style of football played has always been to play the game with simplicity, taking care of the ball and playing balanced, attacking football.
"'The Ipswich Way' is based on dominating possession, always trying to pass forward, running forward. Always competitive and relishing the challenges provided defensively. We want all players to be comfortable with the ball and always looking for their next touch. 'The Ipswich Way' is to rise to whatever challenge is presented and find the solution, never compromising on our principles and standards."Ipswich Town FC Academy; Head of Recruitment.
Our philosophy centres on the vital principle that players need to be guided and supported on their development journey. Our players will develop socially, becoming more confident as they progress through their training programme. The nurturing process and holistic approach to player development aims to maximise potential from both a football and social perspective.
