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Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

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Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Ipswich HC Girls U14 crowned regional champions after unbeaten run

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Ipswich Hockey Club's U14 Girls' 1st Team has won the Regional Finals in Saffron Walden, while the Boys team secured third place in their competition.

Why it matters: The girls' victory represents significant progress for the club, with the team "far exceeding expectations from 18 months ago" according to club officials, while also securing valuable competitive experience.

Ipswich Hockey Club Girls under-14 first team
Ipswich Hockey Club Girls under-14 first teamIpswich Sports Club

The details: The girls remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, drawing their opening match 1-1 against hosts Saffron Walden before finding their rhythm.

After coaches Peter Wright and Pete Bale adjusted their approach, the team secured an impressive 5-0 victory against West Suffolk in their second match.

The squad demonstrated their tactical development by switching from individual ball carrying to a quick-passing strategy, at one point completing "five passes with just two touches on each."

By the numbers:

  • 1st place finish for the Girls U14 team

  • 3rd place finish for the Boys U14 team

  • Four matches played by the Girls team

  • Three matches played by the Boys team

What they're saying: The club noted that the girls have "developed so much as players and contributed to the growth of our U14 age group."

The bigger picture: The success bodes well for Ipswich HC's future, with many current U14 players set to progress to the U16 squad next season, while a strong number of U12s will join the U14s.

The bottom line: Both Ipswich HC youth teams demonstrated impressive performances against strong regional opposition, with the girls claiming top honours and the boys showing "tremendous resilience" despite limited substitutes.

Ipswich Sports Club

Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.

Mark Petchey giving a coaching masterclass at Ipswich Sports Club
Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

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