Town are launching the new ITFC Academy Player Development Programme ahead of the new season with open trials being held in August throughout Suffolk as well as at venues in Essex and Cambridgeshire.
The PDP, which will be overseen by the Blues' academy, replaces the Player Development Centres and will provide a first step on a road which could eventually lead to the Town first team.
The boys who are successful at August’s trials will be invited onto the PDP, where they will be assessed during one-hour coaching sessions over 15 weeks.
Those showing the ability required to step up to the next level will be given the chance to join the elite squads, the second step towards selection for the academy teams. Teddy Bishop, Ben Morris, Joe Robinson and George Fowler all progressed on from the previous PDC scheme.
"The coaching the boys will receive on the PDP is in line with the programme at the academy,” Steve McGavin, the head of recruitment at Playford Road, told the club website.
"It will be about the boys enjoying their football but also realising their potential. We are constantly on the lookout for talented young players and our PDP provides that first level on the academy ladder.”
The PDP course will cost just over £7 per session, while elite squad coaching is by invitation only and free.
There are 11 PDP centres at nine venues, three new to Town - Sudbury, Chelmsford and Newmarket — in addition to Ipswich, Walsham le Willows, Lowestoft, Tiptree, Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. There are two block 15-week coaching sessions per season — August to December and January to May.
The open trials are free and start from August 1st but places must be booked through Richard Boreham via richard.boreham@itfc.co.uk or by calling (01473) 400506.
Full details of the trial dates, venues and the PDP programme can be found on the new PDP website. Only 12 places are available per venue for each age group.