Chairman Mark Ashton described Category One academy status as ‘an important step’ for Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town have confirmed that they have been awarded Category One academy status.
An audit from the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) confirmed that the Blues’ academy met all of the required criteria and will begin operating at Category One level from the start of the 2025/26 season.
The club claim that it puts them “among the elite youth setups in English football, bringing the best possible games programme to aid the development of young players, while also increasing opportunities around the recruitment and retention of players and staff.”
In a statement, chairman Mark Ashton said: “This is an important step forward for the club.
“Since we arrived in 2021 we have consistently said we would look to move the Academy to Category One status when the time is right. We’re delighted to have now achieved that and this is testament to the hard work of Dmitri Halajko (Academy Director), his team, and all at the club.
“Moving to Category One gives us the best chance of recruiting, developing, and retaining the best young players, aided by an elite-level games programme.
The Blues are looking to open their new £30m training facilities next summer
The Blues are looking to open their new £30m training facilities next summer
“This status, as well as the significant and ongoing investment in industry-leading facilities at Playford Road, is an exciting step for the Academy as we continue to grow all areas of the club.”
Academy Director Dmitri Halajko added: “To gain Category One status from the Premier League is a huge achievement which puts Ipswich Town in the top bracket for youth development in this country.
“Staff at the club have worked incredibly hard to achieve this status, which will help us recruit, retain, and develop better young players with the ultimate aim of helping them progress to our first-team.
“For our young players to now have the opportunity to play against the best teams in the country week in and week out is an extremely positive step which will stretch and develop every player and help them reach their highest possible level.”
The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was introduced in 2012, classifying clubs’ academies into four levels – Category Four (lowest) to Category One (highest).
The Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) explain: “Each category reflects the resources, facilities, and goals of an academy, ensuring a structured progression for players and a clear pathway for their development.”
Category One focuses on “elite player development with significant funding, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to the best resources.
Luke Woolfenden progressed through Town’s academy to represent the club in the Premier League
Luke Woolfenden progressed through Town’s academy to represent the club in the Premier League
“Each category is designed to accommodate the varied needs and resources of football clubs while prioritising development consistency and inclusivity.”
Ipswich’s academy teams will now play in the Premier League 2 (U21) and the U18 Premier League, which are only open to Category One clubs.
The Blues missed out on Category One status by 0.3% when they last had an audit in 2014, with the lack of academy players progressing to the first team highlighted as a key issue.
Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Humphreys and Elkan Baggott are among those to have done so in recent years, with Woolfenden playing for them in the top flight last season.
The club are also upgrading their training facilities, having started work at the end of last season. The £30m project is set to be completed next summer.
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