A group of Tractor Girls fans working with the club have formed the ITFC Women Official Supporters Club (ITFC WOSC).
The club has been formed with the core aim of promoting the Tractor Girls and representing the interests of their supporters young and old, mirroring the Supporters Club for the men’s team.
A committee has been formed to oversee the club’s functions and activities with a number of key objectives having been agreed.
To increase support of ITFC Women in the local community and beyond
To engage with people across Ipswich, Suffolk and further afield through use of social media and in-person events, encouraging them to take interest in the ITFC Women and get behind the team.
Increase attendance numbers at fixtures both home and away
Through that increased engagement, the group hope to encourage many more people to attend home matches at the AGL Arena. The OSC will also help to coordinate communal transport for members to attend away matches or provide key information so supporters can travel on their own with confidence. This is with a view to increase away numbers too.
Develop initiatives to benefit both the club and its fans
In their role to represent the membership and the wider ITFC Women fanbase as a whole, the OSC will work closely with the football club to ensure the views and needs of fans are factored into key decisions, eg fixture arrangements. The OSC will also develop its own initiatives and/or partner with other supporter groups to improve the atmosphere at matches, whilst ensuring that games are a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
The growth of the game
Although the popularity of women’s football has increased rapidly in recent years both locally and nationally, thanks to the successes of both the Tractor Girls and the Lionesses, ITFC WOSC recognises there is still some way to go to achieve equality between the men’s and the women’s game. Another priority is to help further the progress and stature of the women’s team as a vital part of the remit of the football club - on and off the pitch.
All Town fans want to see ITFC Women achieve promotion and join the game’s elite. An empowered and representative supporters organisation has an important role in helping Joe Sheehan and the team make that happen. Part of that role is also to advocate for women’s football. The group will also collaborate with other supporter groups, including those at other clubs, to make sure that the voices of women’s football supporters on important issues are heard at all levels.
Inspiring the next generation
ITFC WOSC believe that like the Lionesses, the Tractor Girls have a platform to encourage wider participation and interest in women’s football and sport in general. The Supporters Club will focus on ways to help the club grow interest in the women’s team, particularly from young girls and boys, in the local area. This is not only to help boost attendances at ITFC Women matches, but also with a view to encourage participation in sport in general. This might involve the OSC partnering and working closely with the ITFC Foundation in the near future, where Town’s Natasha Thomas is a trustee.
How to get involved
ITFC WOSC was officially launched earlier today and will have a presence at a supporter event being held in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite this evening. Interested fans, including those already a part of the club’s True Blue scheme, will be able to sign up to join ITFC WOSC free of charge. You will also be able to sign up online via our online form linked to on our Social Media pages listed below.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITFCWOSC
Twitter: @ITFCWOSC
Instagram: @itfcwosc
Email: itfcwosc@gmail.com
ITFC WOSC will be holding a launch event at the next ITFC Women home fixture with further announcements to follow. Alternatively, you can register your interest here.