St Joseph’s College Ipswich is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with the Ipswich Town Foundation, marking a significant investment in the future of sport and community engagement in the town.
The collaboration will see a major redevelopment of the independent school’s sports facilities, underpinning St Jo’s renowned sporting success and benefitting the wider Ipswich community. Central to the project is the transformation of the College’s existing AstroTurf pitch into a state-of-the-art all-weather rubber crumb artificial surface, together with a complete refurbishment of its netball courts.
Mrs Danielle Clarke, Principal of St Joseph’s College noted “At St Joseph’s College, we believe that sport is a powerful force for personal growth, teamwork and community connection. This partnership with Ipswich Town Foundation and the redevelopment of our sports facilities represent a bold step forward in our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity. We are excited to provide our students and the wider Ipswich community with world-class resources that inspire achievement, health, and a lifelong love of sport.”
Providing exceptional all-weather sports infrastructure, these upgrades will support student development and also enable broader community participation in football, rugby and netball. The enhanced facilities will be integrated directly into the College’s Physical Education and Games programmes, ensuring every student, regardless of age or ability, has access to high-quality training and match environments.
The new all-weather pitch will also serve as a hub for Ipswich Town Foundation’s Football Development programmes, which will relocate from Portman Road. The Foundation will bring expert coaching and structured activities to the College campus, enriching the sporting experience for young footballers and fostering deeper community ties.
The multi-purpose pitch will also accommodate mid-week football & rugby training and matches for the College’s Prep and Senior pupils, while the resurfacing of the adjacent netball courts will provide high-performance spaces for training and competition.
‘This project represents our commitment to excellence in sport, education and community,’ said Mr Anthony O’Riordan, Director of Business Development and Operations at St Joseph’s College. “We are proud to collaborate with Ipswich Town FC Foundation to bring these world-class facilities to our students and the broader Ipswich community.”
Underlining the school’s commitment to community access, the new facilities will be available for evening and weekend hire by local clubs, organisations and other schools. The initiative is part of St Jo’s broader mission to support sporting excellence and deliver exemplary facilities for its own students and the local community alike. The upgraded facilities are set to open by September 2025, and the College looks forward to welcoming students and community members to this exciting new chapter in its sporting journey.
Back