ITFC Partnership with St Joseph's College

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The Pride of Anglia

ITFC X St Jo’s

Our official partnership with Ipswich Town Football Club Women is another standout feature of our football programme. This relationship offers unparalleled opportunities for our students, especially female footballers, to gain a dual career setting for both football and academics in a professional footballing environment.

Being an official partner means our students have access to top tier coaching and a pathway for future progression at Ipswich Town FC Women. This partnership not only enhances the development of our female players but also inspires them to pursue their ambitions in the sport at a professional level.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS and premier league club partners

What makes St Joseph’s College a top school for football and education?

National Cup Success

One of the most tangible markers of St Joseph’s College’s rapid rise in the footballing world is our success in national competitions. Competing at this level demonstrates our ability to nurture and develop talent that performs consistently against some of the strongest football schools in the UK.

Our victories in prestigious national competitions have not only raised the profile of the College but also served as evidence of the dedication and quality of our football programme. These successes create a culture of winning, which instils confidence and ambition in our student-athletes. It also acts as a powerful motivator for younger players to aspire toward such achievements, knowing that they are part of a programme with a track record of national recognition.

Nurturing Environment

St Joseph’s College is not just focused on winning games but on creating an environment that allows every player to reach their full potential. This commitment to holistic development is what sets us apart from other schools.

We provide state-of-the-art facilities, including well-maintained pitches, gyms and video analysis tools, to help players improve technically, physically and mentally. Our football provision is integrated into a broader educational framework, ensuring that students balance their academic ambitions with their sporting dreams. Crucially, this ensures our student-athletes develop not only as footballers but also as well-rounded individuals prepared for the demands of life after school, whether in sport or another career.

Professional Experience of our Coaches

The coaching staff at St Joseph’s College is a key component of our footballing success. Our coaches come with a wealth of experience, having worked with professional clubs, academies and schools at the highest levels. This includes coaches with UEFA A coaching qualifications and some with experience in elite football environments for both coaching and talent ID.

The expertise they bring helps our students develop both technically and tactically. Coaches focus on the modern principles of the game, working on advanced positional play, team cohesion, and individual player development. With their extensive experience, they know how to cultivate and guide talent, giving our players the best possible chance to succeed.

“We’re thrilled to be able to extend our partnership with St Joseph’s College.

“It’s a collaborative partnership that prioritises women’s football development and academics in the area, and one which will help to bring through the next generation of players into our team.”

Rachel Harris, General Manager ITFC Womens

Hear about our football provision

Discover what Professional Footballers, Coaches and current students think of Football at the College

Balancing my career in football with my studies has been a challenge, but it is my desire to achieve in both that keeps me grounded. My ambition is to achieve a successful career in football, but I know this will probably have a limited time span and that I will need a good set of results to rely on. With a selection of extracurricular activities, professional development programmes and committed faculty members including the sports department, sixth form staff as well as my A-level subject teachers, the College has established a supportive environment that fosters my academic and personal growth.

Leah, Former Student and ITFC Women’s First XI

St Joseph’s College supports my ambition through kind, caring staff who selflessly devote their time to supporting us both on and off the pitch. Each teacher arrives at the campus with a smile on their face. We have a large range of dedicated sports coaches at St Jo’s (not to mention an ex professional footballer Mr Skuse) who invests large amounts of time into helping me and other aspiring players develop and become the best player we can possibly be.

Jackson, ITFC Academy

The partnership between St Joseph’s College and Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) is a testament to the College’s commitment to providing students with unparalleled opportunities for football development in both club and educational environments. Through this partnership, students have access to professional coaching, mentorship and exposure to the inner workings of a professional football club. Our vision is to develop these partnership relations for years to come, to support future players of the game – both male and female – in their dual career aspirations. This includes expanding opportunities for talent identification, facilitating pathways to professional football, and fostering a deeper integration between the College and ITFC.

Mr Skuse, Head Football Coach

Paige Shorten, St Joseph’s Director of Football, said: “I am incredibly proud of the partnership we have built with the Club since 2018. St Joseph’s College has rapidly become one of the most exciting and promising footballing schools in the country.

“As Ipswich Town Women’s team successes continue to grow, so too does the pathway for talented young athletes at the College. Together, we are creating a vital hub for top-level football development, where students can pursue their sporting dreams while receiving an outstanding education.

“As we align with Ipswich Town Women’s ambition of promotion, we are excited to help nurture the next generation of footballing talent, ensuring that St Joseph’s College remains firmly at the heart of football excellence in the region.”

Why is over Half of the ITFC Squad from St Joseph’s College

The collaboration between St Joseph’s College and Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) offers our students exceptional prospects for football advancement within both academic and club settings.

This partnership ensures students benefit from professional coaching, mentorship and insights into the operations of a professional football club. Our objective is to nurture and sustain these collaborative ties over the long term, aiding aspiring players in pursuing their dual career ambitions. This involves broadening avenues for talent recognition, facilitating routes into professional football and fostering closer integration between the College and ITFC.