Elite squad: Team Ipswich recently welcomed two new members to its Elite Squad.Darren Mitchell - a member of the England Amputee Football Squad. Darren represented England at the last World Apmutee Championships in Turkey where the team finished fifth overall.

Elite squad: Team Ipswich recently welcomed two new members to its Elite Squad.

Darren Mitchell - a member of the England Amputee Football Squad. Darren represented England at the last World Apmutee Championships in Turkey where the team finished fifth overall.

Darren trains and plays for Ipswich Town Disabled FC).

Louise Jukes is a member of the Great British Handball team. Louise was the scorer of the first ever GB handball goal in the new UK Sport era and one of only three from 4,300 athletes to make it through the Talent Identification Programme hosted by Sir Steve Redgrave and selected onto the World Class Handball Programme in December 2007.

Louise and Darren join 11 other Elite Squad members. These 11 ambassadors for Ipswich, compete nationally, in Europe and in World Class competitions. A package of benefits, developed in association with local businesses, is providing essential support to assist them with the day to day pressures of training and competing. Further details of the squad can be found on the Team Ipswich website www.teamipswich.com

Young Ipswich team beat UEA

Water polo: The Team Ipswich ladies junior Under-16 Water Polo team took on UEA ladies recently and even though there was a distinct difference in ages the younger Ipswich side won by 17 - 2.

Team Ipswich started the game with an all female outfield captained by Amy Ennion.

It was soon clear that the strong swimming style adopted in the first quarter that Ipswich were going to be too much for the Norwich side. Two pairs of sisters dominated the Ipswich attack with the Granat sisters, Evie and Lucy between them scoring nine goals, and with the Ennion sisters, Rebecca and Amy scoring seven.

A very polished team performance highlighted recent coaching efforts to build individual and team skills around a fast attacking style. Both Amy Ennion and Lucy Granat are well ranked in the Eastern region water polo development squad - so the future looks bright for the Team Ipswich ladies! A fitting win for the team which finished as silver medallists in the East Region Junior Summer cup.

In addition the Team Ipswich Water men's senior team played the UEA men-s team seeing Ipswich come out with a 11-8 win. Player of the match Nick Trett scored 4 and was ably supported with further goals from Chris Pryke, Tom Young and Phil Trett. Both Henry Mills and Harry Elden made impressive senior debuts with fast swimming from Michael Tween and Ali Clements reinforcing an impressive victory.

Team Ipswich will next take on Basildon on Friday, March 12, 2010 at Crown Pools Ipswich.

New football opportunity for girls

Football: Chantry Grasshoppers Youth FC are looking to start 2010 with plans for a new girls/ladies section for their already growing football club.

With a coach already involved in girls football the club are working with the Suffolk County FA look at opportunities encouraging local Ipswich Girls and ladies to start playing football on a regular basis. The club is currently looking for volunteers coaches interested in helping the club achieve its ambitions.

If you are interested in finding out further information please contact Nick Ward on 01473 692055 or 07801968655 or e-mail froggernelaine@aol.com or check out our club website at www.intheteam.com/chantrygrasshoppers Chantry Grasshopper currently run eight youth teams from Under 8s to Under 14s on both Saturday and Sundays along with a Mini Hoppers for five-seven year old boys and girls.