FRIENDLY matches between the participating teams in the Ipswich Community Football League have taken place before the competition gets under way.

The league is aimed at encouraging hard to reach community groups in Ipswich to take up football.

The aim behind the five-a-side project is to create a sustainable league which helps integrate diverse communities in Ipswich.

BIFA, AFS, FC Felixstowe, Ipswich Tigers, African Lions, Oman, Five Star, Five Star 2’s, FC Ipswich, Dhaka all took part in friendly matches before the league gets under way next week.

The session took place on Sunday at Goals Soccer Centre, Suffolk New College, College Drive off Grimwade Street, Ipswich.

James Payne, Suffolk FA Get Into Football Officer (Ipswich), said: “It was extremely pleasing to see so many players attending the first session of the newly-formed Ipswich League Football League.

“The matches were very keenly contested and full credit must go to all the players for the sporting manner in which all the games were played and full respect was shown to each other and the match officials throughout the afternoon.”

The aim is for 64 players to create eight new 5 v 5 teams which leads to a regular bringing football to a largely untapped audience.

It is being run in partnership with Goals Soccer Centre in Ipswich and alongside police and Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

The initiative has received �2,130 from The FA’s Small Sided Development Fund and a further �3,360 from Goals Soccer Centre. Goals Soccer Centre will also provide qualified and affiliated referees as well as full and professional management of the league and it’s in house system – all within the cost.

The next fixtures take place on Sunday at Goals Soccer Centre in Ipswich.