Raffi Coverdale, Suffolk & Norfolk County FA’s Child Protection Officer, who helped organise the event, says that there will be enormous all-round benefits from the day at Portman Road.

“It was a very rewarding experience to work with the children in this very important pilot project.

“It is definitely a far-reaching project using football as the theme to deliver training to the children. We broadened the content of The FA’s guide to deliver key messages to around 50 children who were specially invited to take part in the day.”

Rachel Tarr, The FA’s Child Protection Manager, explained that the day was structured to cover many aspects – particularly getting over the message that abuse can come in many forms: “I am now looking forward to receiving some feedback as to what the youngsters felt were the most important things they learnt.

“When this has been collated we can then assess how useful they have found the information and how we can tailor it even further to help children in the future.”

All the youngsters attending were presented with certificates and match tickets for forthcoming Ipswich Town fixtures, along with items supplied by The FA in special kit bags kindly donated by the Suffolk County FA.