MatchDay Pumas FC crest

The club

A club with aroute out of it

MatchDay Pumas FC is our league club at Culford School for U7 to U12, playing in the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League and the Suffolk Youth League. UEFA A and B coaches, a club kit, a Cambridge United partnership, and the best players put in front of professional clubs.

Training times

Every week, in seasonCulford School, IP28 6TX
Age groupTrainingTimeMatches
U7 to U9Friday6:00 to 7:00pmSaturdays
U10 and U11Friday7:00 to 8:00pmSaturdays
U12Thursday6:00 to 7:00pmSundays
Training at Culford School. Matches in two Suffolk FA affiliated leagues.Join the club
MatchDay Pumas players gathered round their coach under the floodlights

This isthe Pumas

Boys and girls from U7 to U12, together under the floodlights. The club was founded in 2019.

Expert coaching.Proven playerdevelopment.

12+young players already into professional football academies

Give your child the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive with experienced, highly qualified coaches. At our club we do things differently. Every player benefits from dedicated, independent, professionally qualified and paid coaches who are passionate about helping young footballers reach their potential.

Whether your child is just starting their football journey or dreaming of playing at the highest level, we provide the coaching, encouragement and environment to help them succeed.

More than just a football club. A pathway to reaching their potential.

The SkillsCycle

Sessions follow a structure similar to professional academies: a three to five week block built around key coaching points, planned on the England DNA four corners.

  1. Technical. Ball manipulation, keeping possession, receiving, 1v1s, 2v2s and 3v3s.
  2. Physical. As many touches as possible for U7 to U10, small-sided games for everyone.
  3. Social. A family club. Players are encouraged, and encourage each other.
  4. Psychological. Risk and reward, confidence, trying the new skill in a real game.

How wetrain

Sessions follow a structure similar to professional academies: a three to five week programme built around key coaching points, which we call the MatchDay Pumas Skills Cycle. Players are encouraged to explore and practise new skills, and the sessions are planned around the England DNA four corners.

  • Ball at their feet. For U7 to U10 the priority is as many touches as possible.
  • Ball manipulation and keeping possession. Receiving, 1v1s, 2v2s and 3v3s, and understanding risk and reward.
  • Small-sided games to sharpen skills and teamwork.
  • UEFA licensed coaches with years of experience, on excellent pitches for practice and matches.
  • Role models. We take pride in leading by example for every member of the club.
Players dribbling through a line of cones in training
Thursday night, Culford

Part of beinga Puma

Mascot daysA day out at a semi-pro club: walk out as mascots, then a stadium tour.
Ex-pros in the roomVisits from former professionals and current semi-pros, who take questions and talk honestly.
A family clubWe believe a family-oriented environment is what grows individuals and teams.
10% offRegistered players get 10% off birthday parties.
Suffolk FA affiliatedMembers of the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League and the Suffolk Youth League.
Development firstOur philosophy is development. Confidence and self-esteem first, then everything else.
Performance Pathway and Cambridge United staff holding shirts at the partnership signing, December 2023
Partnership signing, December 2023

What CambridgeUnited brings

Since December 2023 the club has had a formal partnership with Cambridge United, the EFL club down the A14. It is not a badge on a shirt. It changes what our players get.

  • Invitations to matches against Cambridge United across all age groups.
  • Cambridge United supports the club with recruitment.
  • Cambridge United supports our coaching framework.
  • Tickets to watch the Cambridge United first team.
  • An academy member of staff delivers in-person coach and player development.
  • One of our staff members is a senior academy recruitment officer.
  • Coach and player development webinars from Cambridge United.

Visit Cambridge United

Welfareand policies

Our club welfare officer is Jason Day. He oversees our safeguarding, anti-bullying and equality policies, makes sure everyone in an official role has an up-to-date FA DBS check, works with the county FA designated safeguarding officer, and makes sure children's voices are heard. To raise a concern, email jason.day@performancepathway.co.uk.

Pick yournumber

Type their name, choose a number, and see it on the back of a Pumas shirt. Number 1 gets the keeper's kit.

Number
7
Start the free trial

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A red MatchDay Pumas shirt, seen from the back, with the name and number you choose. PUMAS YOUR NAME 7

Pull onthe shirt

Tell us your child's age and Jason will come back to you about the right age group and a free two week trial. All registered players get the club kit package.

Rather talk? Call 07860 786175 or email info@performancepathway.co.uk.

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