News

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.”

 

Create emails quickly with structures

 

Small Sided Games Format Info

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

Link:

Governance

 

 

Reminder – Club Secretary Meeting Thurs 24th 715pm

We are communicating with you on a few important matters and would be obliged if you could share within your club to all concerned.

Registrations

Thank you for your assistance in the completion of registrations of players which has resulted more than 43,000 players registered as of today which is way ahead of this time last season. We expect ,based on team registrations that a further 5/6000 player will continue to register over the coming weeks.

We have dealt with a very small number of games with unregistered players ,players not on panels and feel it is Important to remind clubs of the rules governing unregistered players are

RULE 5. REGISTRATION PLAYER \ CLUB SANCTIONS

  1. All players must be registered to play in the league, teams found playing an:
  2. Unregistered player
  3. Improperly registered player
  4. Ineligible player

Will face the loss of the game (s) the player played in, plus a further deduction of 6 points and a fine of €100.

We ask all clubs to ensure all their players are registered and eligible to play on panels as a matter of urgency.

Team Panels

We are now asking all clubs to ensure all team panels are created and players allocated to each team to ensure every player is eligible to player and be insured of course.

As of now over 90% of clubs have completed team panels and is important to conclude asap, as the league starts its auditing on team sheets/match cards over the coming months.

Again, we are pointing out below the rules that apply in this regard

RULE 1. PLAYER REGISTRATIONS

  1. Players must be registered to the league via the Leagues on-line system league, The Online form must be completed and processed to ensure the player has been registered correctly with the League.
  2. Once a player is successfully registered with the League and Club, he/she is required to be allocated by the club to their appropriate team. Players not allocated to teams will be deemed ineligible to play.

Disciplinary

After 4 weeks, we have dealt with over 32 cases which have been heard and actioned upon in relation to this season’s rule book. The main issues have been sideline behaviour by officials and spectators, referee abuse and racist remarks.

The DCU have applied the maximum sanctions to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour with the sanctions of up to 12 months having been imposed. We have also stood down teams until behaviour/welfare training has been undertaken by clubs/teams and are establishing anger management training options should the need arise. In Addition, over 65 red cards (platers & Coaches)have been issued this month along with 26 plus fines for walkovers.

Requests for games off

All requests must be sent to requests@ddsl.ie only. Once received these are validated and sent to fixture secretaries. We have seen a massive reduction in requests, as reasons must be given and deemed acceptable by the league.

To date over 60% of requests have been declined which has resulted in keeping the kids playing. Most requests have been declined on the basis of the procedure not being followed. In view of this please see the rules governing requests.

 

RULE 5. POSTPONEMENT OF FIXTURES
1. Postponements where players are involved with the league or international duty will only be granted when any single team has a minimum of two (2) outfield players or
its goalkeeper on duty. Player(s) placed on standby will not be considered for the purpose of this rule.
2. The league will only allow postponements if requested in accordance with the league’s procedures issued every season in exceptional circumstances.
a. The relevant fixture secretary has received a minimum of 21 days’ notice and confirmed the postponement to the club in writing.
b. Six weeks’ notice will be required should the team be going on a trip/tournament for a postponement.
c. Club’s may be, at the league’s discretion, asked to provide additional information for postponements.
Contact to the league for these requests must be made in writing torequests@ddsl.ie  by the club secretary of applying club only with a detailed reason to be considered.

Christmas Closedown dates

 

Monday 16th December 2024 to Friday the 10th January 2025 to allow for Santa to do his work !

  • All SSG games i.e. u8’s to u11’s will finish on the weekend 7th/8th Dec
  • All 9-a-side & 11-a-side games will finish on the weekend of 14th/15th of December (weather permitting).
  • All SSG will commence on the weekend of the 18th/19th of January.
  • All 9-a-side & 11-a-side games will commence on 11th/12th of January (weather permitting)

Clubs may play games during the break on all weathers in agreement with the fixture’s secretaries only.

Again, a reminder of our Secretaries meeting on Thursday 24th October at 7.15pm in the Sports Conference Room and all clubs are required to attend as a lot of information will be given on football matters.

 

Halloween Notice

As Halloween approaches, we would ask that you talk to your players and parents about bonfires in and around football pitches. The damage from one bonfire can take over a year to repair. Bonfires reduce the number of usable pitches and thereby reduce the amount our children can train and play matches. Bearing in mind the demand for the use of pitches across the region, our aim is to prevent a reduction in pitch availability while preserving our public playing fields. Can you please share the attached video on your social media platforms and share with your coaches and players.

Please help raise awareness and combat Halloween bonfires, in cooperation with An Garda Siochana and funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of an overall Halloween Safety Awareness campaign.

 

 

 

DDSL X FAI Cup (Womens/Mens) Finals Offer

Clubs/Schools offer for the upcoming FAI Cup Finals, see links below:

Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup Final, Athlone Town AFC v Shelbourne FC, Tallaght Stadium, Sunday October 20th:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=J4TEMnpsjU-111CSOsx7t_JRhVfaC0ZGgfvJShvNnzVUQTVKMEJEUTZRV0FCM0xWNjc3RkRBNUYzSi4u

 

Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final, Aviva Stadium, Sunday November 10th:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=J4TEMnpsjU-111CSOsx7t_JRhVfaC0ZGgfvJShvNnzVUME9YMzlSOVNDTVJJT09LQ0ROWEJSMkdJSS4u

 

DDSL Club Secretaries Meeting NEW DATE

Please note the DDSL Club Secretaries Meeting scheduled for next Thursday 10th October has been cancelled due to the Men’s Nations League Irish International fixture Finland v Ireland. This was an oversight on our part & thanks to Elaine Harrington Peamount Utd for bringing it to our attention during the week. Apologies for the oversight & looking forward to a Win on Thursday.

 

Details of the re-scheduled meeting is as follows:

DDSL Club Secretaries Meeting

 

Please note the next DDSL Club Secretaries meeting will now take place as follows:

 

  • Date:  Thursday 24th October 2024

 

  • Time: 7.15pm to 9.15pm

 

  • Venue:  National Sports Campus Conference Room (Beside FAI H/O)

 

  • All clubs are required to provide a representative in the absence of their secretary.

 

See you all on Thursday 24th October 2024 & once again apologies for any inconvenience.