Utilising the Wise Words & Philosophy Of ITFC Manager Kieran McKenna.
To Improve Health & Well-being For Those With LTHCs.
ITFC has always been a community-based club, focused on family and playing football the right way, continuously launching programs through targeted inclusion initiatives, innovative thinking, and opportunities for all. Reaching the hometown of Ipswich and out into local areas.
In Part One we focused on its role in the community, recent programs and initiatives to showcase the power of football, bringing people together and enjoying a common interest but, we also learned about the variety offered and took some top tips from The Management Team to support us in our efforts to manage our LTHCs and Disabilities*.
In Part Two
In Part two we will look at how Kieran McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills, have been applied to the ITFC Men’s team since taking on the role of the manager in December. How his experience, attention to detail, commitment, drive, and incredible work have turned around the performance, results, and success of a team struggling to stay afloat before his appointment. Bringing back the positive approach and hope for many. Through definitions, we will explore some of his key concepts with working examples of their effect on the team and club as a whole.
In Part 3
In Part Three we look at how McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills can be transferred to help us support our LTHCs and Disabilities with a specific focus on Pituitary Conditions and Addison’s Disease. Using the same definitions but in a different context, this is an innovative way to bring the medical world and the sporting world together as one.
In Part 4
In Part Four we will approach the final definitions of Frustration and Disappointment. Acknowledge their role in the equation through the ‘Can’t Win, Don’t Loose’ philosophy, whilst reflecting on strengths and empowerment.
This Amazing Club
This club has brought me so much over the years and now as an armchair fan that continues. Many hours spent kicking a ball back and forth in the garden as a child, the first time I attended real professional football, the first experience of betting, even my first taste of a PUKKA pie, my first (and last) attempt at putting on a bet! Many happy memories sitting in the stands, over 17years as a season ticket holder, our first trip to Wembley, a shared interest, a social network. Both at the game and our favourite pre-match cafe. The highs and the lows, the passion, the songs, changing faces, world-class players. The fun, the sadness, frustration, and stress! Evening trips to get the Green Un, cuttings all over the wall, stacks of programmes now in boxes!
The Owners
With the club takeover by American Group GameChanger and the Appointment of Mark Ashton as Chairman and the subsequent arrival of a new manager, things have taken a real turn of events reminiscent of the olden days in which ITFC were high flyers, making historic memories. What’s developing now is what we have always had but in a grander, even more, unified place where the community is at the heart of the club. The first team may be the key focus, what binds everything together but it’s not just about that, it’s more, it’s so inclusive, so progressive and everyone is brought in. For a team sitting down in league one, the fans, management team, and owners are re-creating some of the old magic that is connected to the club.
The Supporters
The FanZone runs at every home match with a varied program that includes taster sessions in different sports, live football matches, food supplied by local businesses, live music, ex-players, and current player appearances. So many different awareness campaigns and projects have been linked to club matches, whether that’s promoting disability awareness, inclusion, schools, reading, women, or local businesses there is always something happening. Opening at noon on Saturdays and 6 pm in the evenings gives plenty of time for fun before taking seats for the game! A great social aspect as well as providing an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a special time together at no additional cost. Here we highlight just a few of the opportunities offered and celebrated by the club.
Community Day was a real celebration of the Community Trust and what it has to offer for people of all ages, levels of engagement, inclusivity, and fun! A day to celebrate but also to promote and raise vital funds to allow projects to continue to move forward. The trust aims to;
‘Deliver an innovative range of football and sporting activities, to engage, inspire and develop as many people as possible. We represent Ipswich Town Football Club within the local and surrounding communities, acting as an extension of the club to engage with local people and make a genuine impact on their lives.’(https://www.itfctrust.co.uk)
Programs include;
Community
School
Post 16 Education
Boys Football Development & Girls Football Development
Level Playing Field is all about celebrating disability access and inclusion at sports venues. An allocated match, a presence in the FanZone, and a feature in the matchday program were utilised to highlight the work of Soccer Sight. This is a service that allows visually impaired supporters to listen to full commentary in detail for all league and cup fixtures from within the stadium. Hidden disabilities charity, Sunflower, also featured, promoting awareness. The discreet emblem of the Sunflower alerts people around the wearer including staff, colleagues, and health professionals that they need additional support, help, or time is required. A Carers Perspective was also featured as part of this event, which not only includes match day support but Facebook groups to keep fans connected especially through the pandemic.
Her Game Too Partnership is something that Town’s chief executive, Mark Ashton views of high importance for the club to be involved in, stating that;
’The Club is delighted to be partnering with #HerGameToo. Ipswich Town wants women and girls of all ages to feel comfortable coming to Portman Road’. (https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2022/february/her-game-too-partnership/)
As a part of this ongoing program the club has planned the following this season;
A dedicated #HerGameToo weekend at both Men's and Women’s First Team matches
A new WhatsApp group for female fans has been created and will be chaired by Club supporter liaison officer, Liz Edwards.
The Community Trust continues to invite local girl's teams to League matches at Portman Road.
The Community Trust allocates ball person bookings for each match to a local girls' teams
#HerGameToo posters will be in place around Portman Road with a hotline to contact if anyone witnesses sexism.
Linking on, International Women's Day was celebrated through school visits and trying to challenge stereotypes regarding football. However, with ITFC women now on professional contracts, and success in the FA Cup and league, the club promotes their success just as much as the men’s. It doesn’t just last a day. Information appears on all social media channels as well as in programs and representation on the board of trustees.
Pack Out Portman Road has been a programme launched to engage and enable the local community to experience match-day experiences at a reduced cost. With bundles and one-off match prices, these days have been a real success. Plus, the season ticket holders have not been left feeling left out. The bigger the crowd the more team points they earn to exchange for goods in the shop or against the price of their new season tickets!
Even Nature gets a look in with The Rally Against The World Without Nature. It is estimated that every minute forest area the size of 27 football pitches is lost. During this event, people are asked to remove logos involving nature to highlight how sad a world without it would be. Since it is thought there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050 the club has already utilised recycled plastic in shirt manufacturing with Adidas.
Away From The Ground
You don’t have to be at the game to participate in this hobby. With Radio Suffolk connecting us through the waves, with a great build-up programme and excellent commentary that features one ex-player every game adding a sense of belonging. Other options include the ifollow which can be accessed for other Sky Bet League clubs as well. Full of varied content including interviews with players and staff, Five In Five perspectives of the game, player cams, community news, match highlights, and interesting news reports.
School World Book Day saw player James Norwood visit a local school. The Community Trust has given 300 free, brand-new books and 50 WHSmith vouchers to 27 partner schools in the local area to support young readers as part of an exciting partnership between Premier League Primary Stars and the National Literacy Trust.
Coffee Club is a program hosted by player George Edmundson with the addition of a couple of his teammates. Sponsored by local Coffee Shop Honey + Harvey it’s a chance for fans to put their questions to the players with some interesting results and entertaining banter between the players as they sit down with their favourite drinks hosted by the independent Coffee Shop is also the club's matchday graphics sponsors.
What An Opportunity
What football has brought to us over the years has been incredible. This club is special. You only have to listen to current and old players and how affectionate they are about it. How they term it as ‘we’ and ‘us’ no matter where they are from. Once a blue, always a blue! Then you look behind the scenes, Keiron Dyer - Ipswich through and through and until last month the U23’s Manager, John McGreal - ex-defender, brief elope to Colchester and now U21 Manager, John Wark and Simon Milton part of Ipswich heritage and have roles behind the scenes, Matt Holland working with the community team. Ex-players such as Mick Mills, Alex Mathie, and Marcus Stewart are all regular commentators on BBC Suffolk sport. This is set to continue and this club is again on the rise. New owners, a new chairman, new manager, fantastic players, support staff, plans for a new pitch, development of local infrastructure, new digital setups, big screen, and PA systems to rival premier league clubs. What more could you ask for? This is something to celebrate.
ITFC Community Trust
Community Day
Level Playing Field
International Women’s Day
School world Book Day
Carers Perspective
Rally Against The World Without Nature
Her Game Too Partnership
Coffee Club
Pack Out Portman Road
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