FAI Referee Beginner Courses – 2025

Recently we carried out a full review of our Referee Beginner Programme and while we have increased our number nationally significantly over the last number of years we fell the time is right to move to a new model for running our courses. Courses will now take place in two blocks each year to allow us to implement a targeted approach to referee recruitment and retention in each of our regions. By holding courses in each region it will increase the opportunity for us to grow the number of referees in each of the leagues to ensure that growing demands of football at all levels are met with increased number of officials. These courses will follow a blended format with some learning taking place online in their own time and there will be a greater focus on practical elements of refereeing in person to ensure new referees are given the essential skills needed to start in their new roles.

With your help and the help of your clubs, referees and football volunteers we can ensure that we continue to grow and develop football for all stakeholders.

See the full list of courses below. Please share the details for the courses in your region with as many people as possible to ensure we attract as many participants as we can.

Please note that cost per participant is €50 and this includes – red and yellow cards, whistle, coin, FAI Referee Badge and Referee Registration Fee.

Name Full Address Region Date Time Link
Dublin (Balbriggan) Referee Beginners Course – 10th & 17th February (7-10pm) Bath Rd, Tankardstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin 1 10th & 17th Feb 7pm to 10pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728449
Dublin (Ballymun) Referee Beginners Course – 22nd February (10-4pm) Ballymun United Soccer Complex, Ballymun, D11RY23 1 22nd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728513
Dublin (Clondalkin) Referee Beginners Course – 17th February (10-4pm) Capco Park; Naas Road; Clondalkin 2 17th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728574
Dublin (Knocklyon) Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) 52 Woodstown Dr, Knocklyon, Dublin 16, D16 HX70 2 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728615
Dublin (Leicester Celtic) Referee Beginners Course – 23rd February (10-4pm) Grange Manor Road, Dublin 14, D14 X4F1 2 23rd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728667
Wicklow Referee Beginners Course – 8th February (10-4pm) 12 Croghan Heights, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Y14 C925 2 8th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728720
Kilkenny Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) Dermidus Park, Co. Kilkenny 3 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30729001
Waterford Referee Beginners Course – 22nd February (10-4pm) SETU Arena , Waterford , 3 22nd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30729035
Tipperary Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) Cahir Park 3 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30729086
Cork Referee Beginners Course – 9th February (10-4pm) Knockgriffin Park, P25NR20 4 9th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728762
Cork (Bandon) Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) Town Park Terrace, Kilbrogan, Bandon, Co. Cork 4 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728781
Cork Referee Beginners Course – 22nd February (10-4pm) O’Shea Park, Riverview Estate, Blarney, Co. Cork 4 22nd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728794
Limerick Referee Beginners Course – 8th February (10-4pm) Rivers, Castletroy, Limerick, V94 TX85 5 8th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728815
Clare Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) Shannon Rd, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, V95 RYW3 5 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728848
Laois/Offaly Beginners Course – 23rd February (10-4pm) Tullamore Town FC 6 23rd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30781776
Meath Referee Beginners Course – 8th February (10-4pm) MDL Navan Grounds 6 8th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728878
Monaghan Referee Beginners Course – 23rd February (10-4pm) Gortakeegan, Monaghan 7 23rd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30781797
Louth Referee Beginners Course – 25/27th February (6.30-9.30pm) Dundalk FC 7 25th & 27th  Feb 6:30 to 9:30pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30781825
Donegal Referee Beginners Course – 22nd February (10-4pm) Ballyare, Ramelton, Co.Donegal 7 22nd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30781918
Galway Referee Beginners Course – 8th February (10-4pm) Drom East, Salthill, Galway H91 KP79 8 8th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728900
Mayo Referee Beginners Course – 22nd February (10-4pm) Milebush, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 CV08 8 22nd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728909
Sligo Referee Beginners Course – 15th February (10-4pm) ATU Sligo knocknarea Arena F91YW50 8 15th Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728915
Roscommon Referee Beginner Course – 23rd February (10-4pm) RDFL Grounds, Galeybeg, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon F42 KW44 8 23rd Feb 10am to 4pm https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/30728958

Christmas Football for All Indoor Blitz

DDSL organized their first ever Indoor ‘Football for All’ Christmas Blitz in the new fantastic dome at Our Lady’s School Terenure.

There were up to 110 Boys/Girls players involved from the ages of 4 to 18 from 10x clubs from all over Dublin.

The players had a great fun day…enjoying their football…..some wearing Xmas hats/jumpers…making new friends & were delighted to meet Santa Clause who presented them with a selection box. Santa will visit all the players at Christmas.

Big thank you to all the Coaches & Volunteers who have been there with all our players through-out the years….& I know these coaches/volunteers get huge satisfaction…not just for the coaching but  just seeing the smiles on all the players faces. Best part of what football is all about.

Thanks to the DDSL Board & the Fai for helping with the financing of this FFA Tournament & all the other Mini Blitz we have organised in the past.

More clubs/players/volunteers are always welcome to join….please contact us & we will give you a call with more details.

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

 

DDSL Football for All Team.

 

Council Pitches – Winter Closure Update

Winter closure of pitches:  All pitches will be resting from Monday 16th December 2024 until at least Friday 17th January 2025 inclusive.

Have your say! – DDSL Survey for all

The Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League (DDSL) along with our strategic partners S3 Solutions are beginning the process of developing a strategy for the future development of the league and indeed football in the capital.

Part of this process involves completing the largest survey (of all stakeholders) undertaken in Ireland in relation to every part of our game. Everyone’s view and opinions are very important, and the aim is to get as many people involved in clubs and our game, past and present to feedback as part of the process which will influence the game going forward.

With the impending FAI player pathway proposals, it is important that every stakeholder can have their say and input, So please complete, if possible, Today !

There are various surveys for Players, Coaches, Volunteers, Referees, Parents and Past Players.

The information we receive will contribute towards the future direction of the league for the next five years. Please ask every stakeholder in your club (past and present) and the game to complete the survey.

The information will help determine the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the DDSL and its stakeholders which will form part of our strategy going forward.

The survey will open for two (2) weeks and thank you in advance for your contribution.

 

LINKS BELOW:

DDSL Player Online Survey

Https://forms.office.com/e/31TMjm3crV

DDSL Parents Online Survey

Https://forms.office.com/e/C67jXZh6qM

 DDSL Past Players Online Survey

Https://forms.office.com/e/XV6SxTK1k0

DDSL Club Volunteer Online Survey

Https://forms.office.com/e/iuXjfwP361

We are asking you as a club to issue this mail to all your Club Members, Volunteers, Parents, and Players (Current & Past) over the next 2 or 3 days and share on all media channels .This will be the largest survey ever carried out in Irish football, and we hope to get the views of every stakeholder to formulate a strategy the meets the needs of every child and stakeholder in the future.

Yours in Sport

On behalf of everyone in the

Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League

 

DDSL x 3v3 Football

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter in Irish football: the 1st 3v3 Football Festival, brought to you in partnership with DDSL! This ground-breaking event will take place onSaturday, December 28th at the state-of-the-art Sports Ireland Indoor Dome. It’s a fantastic opportunity for your players to experience a fast-paced, dynamic, and developmental format of the game.

Festival Details

  1. Morning Sessions: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM & 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM
  2. Afternoon Sessions: 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM & 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
  3. Age: 2016 Boys & Girls
  4. Grade: All grades
  5. Team Size: Minimum 3 players, maximum 4 players per team
  6. Games: 7 matches per team, each lasting 6 minutes
  7. Format: Rolling substitutions (1-minute intervals, managed by the referee)
  8. Equipment: Coloured bibs provided for each team on the day

Our team will do everything possible to ensure your players are grouped appropriately by grade and preference within the session you choose. A detailed welcome email with your team’s start time will be sent by December 18th.

Why 3v3?

The 3v3 format offers unparalleled benefits to players of all ages and abilities:

  1. Skill Refinement: Constant ball contact sharpens dribbling, passing, and shooting.
  2. Tactical Growth: Quick decision-making builds tactical awareness.
  3. Football Fitness: High-intensity play enhances agility, speed, and endurance.
  4. Mental Focus: Continuous play under pressure boosts concentration and resilience.
  5. Team Dynamics: Encourages communication and teamwork for goal-scoring opportunities and defensive strategies.

💡 83% ball rolling time
💡 102 touches per player per game
💡 2300 steps per game

This is football like you’ve never seen before!

Book Your Spot Today!

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity for your players to experience the future of football. Spots are limited, so secure your place early

 

Booking link:tinyurl.com/DDSL3v3

Price: €40 per team

 

For more information, please contact us at info@3v3ireland.com or call 089 4208676

We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland’s first 3v3 Football Festival – a day filled with fun, fast-paced action, and football development at its finest!

Dublin’s Q102 and DDSL Launch “IT’S MY GAME”

Dublin’s Q102, in partnership with the Dublin & District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League (DDSL), proudly announces the launch of “It’s My Game,” a cross-platform campaign designed to bring awareness to the issue of abusive behaviour at grassroots football matches across Dublin.

In recent years, reports of abusive behaviour toward young players, referees, and coaches have surged, creating a concerning trend within the youth game. “It’s My Game” looks to tackle this by reminding adults and young people of the importance of respect and sportsmanship and of just letting the children play. The initiative seeks to create a positive, supportive environment for young athletes, coaches, referees, and spectators, fostering respect and sportsmanship on and off the field, with Dublin’s Q102 and DDSL committed to taking a proactive role in changing the culture around youth football.

The initiative will launch with a multi-faceted campaign that includes educational materials as well as new disciplinary guidelines to promote respect and responsible behaviour at games. “Football is meant to be a joyful experience for our children – a chance to learn, grow, and develop a love for the game,” said Vivienne Nagle, Station Director of Dublin’s Q102. “Through ‘It’s My Game,’ we aim to remind everyone involved within the league about the importance of respect and positivity. Children’s wellbeing and enjoyment should always come first.”

The campaign’s primary focus will be a series of on-air segments, podcasts, and social media content featuring testimonies from players, coaches, referees, and parents, all sharing their experiences and insights of abusive behaviour with the aim of stamping it out altogether.

The initiative will also promote the “It’s My Game” “We want our players to feel encouraged, safe, and respected, and we’re grateful to have Dublin’s Q102 as a partner in bringing this mission to life,” added Niall O Driscoll, Chairman of the DDSL. “By working together, we hope to inspire a long-term change in behaviour, creating a lasting impact on youth sports culture.”

Link to assets here ITS MY GAME & Follow Dublin’s Q102 & DDSL on social media for regular updates and inspiring stories from the field.

About Q102

Q102 is one of Dublin’s leading commercial radio stations, known for delivering a mix of ‘Feel Good’ music, entertainment and local news. With a strong connection to the Dublin community, Q102 has been a trusted part of daily life for over twenty years. The station is popular for The Ryan Tubridy show which airs from 10am to 1pm.

About DDSL

The Dublin & District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League (DDSL) was founded in 1943 and has a rich history of nurturing soccer talent in Dublin with almost 3,000 teams and 45,000 players involved in 1,500 games every weekend, for boys & girls from 7 to 18 years of age. The DDSL plays a vital role in the grassroots soccer community, giving children all the benefits that sport brings to the development of our current and future generations.

DDSL Coach Education – November

Please see below workshops upcoming over the next month.

Think they will fill naturally so get booked in

20th November:                Flexibility & Mobility Workshop (Full)

27th November:                TY/ Third Level/ USA Scholarships Parents Information Presentation (Limited Places Available) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J9R7HK6

2nd December:                Coaching Skills Workshop (Limited Places Available)  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8M63VB8

5th December:                 Flexibility & Mobility Workshop (Limited Places Available) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RVMSSX2

 

Childline Christmas Jumper Day

Christmas is getting closer! Along with our charity partner, Childline by ISPCC, we are asking all our clubs to host a Christmas Jumper Day for Childline this December.

Get the children, parents and club members involved by choosing a training or match day in December for everyone to wear their most festive and fun Christmas outfits on the day and make a small donation to Childline.

You can find out more information or sign up here: Childline Christmas Jumper Day | Fundraising Event Ireland.

This December spread joy and support an amazing cause withyour Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Childline! A Christmas Jumper Day is a fantastic way to bring everyone together, have a bit of fun, and raise much-needed funds for Childline, Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and teenagers nationwide.

On your chosen day, ask everyone to wear their most festive, fun, or silly Christmas jumper! It’s as simple as that. Encourage everyone to let their creativity shine: think sparkling Christmas lights, jingling bells, reindeer antlers, or cosy knits featuring Santa, snowflakes, or even a festive llama! There’s no limit to the holiday cheer. The day is about having fun and raising vital funds for Childline, either set up your fundraising page here or collect funds on the day.

Register your interest here: Christmas Jumper Day for Childline 2024 – ISPCC or email community@ispcc.ie if you have any questions.

New Partnership – DBS Sports Tours

We are delighted to announce that DBS Sports Tours is now the Official Travel Partner for the DDSL

Together, We’ll deliver exclusive training, resources and amazing experiences for young players throughout the league.

DDSL Chairman Niall O’Driscoll: “We are delighted to partner with DB Tours one of Irelands top travel & bonded companies. The partnership will deliver support and expertise for our clubs to cater for the ever-increasing demand by DDSL teams looking to enhance the footballing experience of young players. The priority of safety, well organised and quality options at affordable costs provided by DB Tours will no doubt serve our clubs, parents and more importantly players over the coming years.’’

DB Sports Managing Director; “We have been dedicated to grassroots football in Ireland for over 14 years, and partnering with such a prestigious league is a true honour. We hope this collaboration will create new opportunities for all DDSL members. We look forward to organising your unforgettable team tour that will be talked about for years to come.”

 

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Small Sided Games Format Info

All SSG Format Information can be found in Governance section of our website

Link:

Governance