A weight loss tournament which helped a team of men shed almost 420kg (65st) – more than a polar bear – in a matter of weeks is coming to Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Man vs Fat Colchester players who were picked to play in a match at the England training ground in St George's Park. Picture: RICHARD BLAXHALLMan vs Fat Colchester players who were picked to play in a match at the England training ground in St George's Park. Picture: RICHARD BLAXHALL (Image: Archant)

National initiative Man v Fat is launching in the town with the help of Ipswich Town chiefs next month, with sessions due to take place every Friday at the Portman Road stadium.

Each Man v Fat season lasts for 14 weeks and sees teams play 30-minute games of six-a-side football, helping them get active and improving their fitness.

Players are weighed before each game – and earn extra points depending on how many pounds they have lost.

News of the Ipswich launch comes after what organisers said was a “phenomenally successful” season for teams in the Colchester league, hosted at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Ipswich Star: Ben Seeley, 24, is a chef at the Three Wise Monkeys in Colchester. He has lost four stone thanks to Man Vs Fat, a weight-loss programme run in conjunction with football clubs. Picture: GREGG BROWNBen Seeley, 24, is a chef at the Three Wise Monkeys in Colchester. He has lost four stone thanks to Man Vs Fat, a weight-loss programme run in conjunction with football clubs. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Head coach Christa Osman said players – who travelled to the stadium each week from as far away as Framlingham – managed to lose 419kg, or 65st.

Christa said: “It’s not just about the football, the guys are taking great steps forward to getting active and losing weight.

“They have changed their lifestyle – and some have even beaten depression.

“Goals are scored for weight loss and this is combined with the pitch score. So it is just as important to lose weight than it is to win on the pitch.

She added: “We had a phenomenally successful league in Colchester and I know there is already so much interest in the upcoming Ipswich leagues.”

Three Wise Monkeys chef Ben Seeley, who took part in season two of the Colchester tournament, lost the most.

The 24-year-old managed to shed nearly a third of his body weight – 26.3kg (4st) – in the 14 weeks.

He said: “It’s been great, I feel so much healthier. I was really grumpy and I think going along to the games and having that competitiveness really gave me that drive to succeed.

“I feel literally like a weight has been lifted off me and feel so much happier.

“I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to join, because it can change your life for the better like it has for me.”

The first ever Ipswich league will kick off at Portman Road on June 9 from 7-9pm.

Matches will then be held every Friday.

Sign up here or call 0845 163 0042.