News

PLAYER MOVEMENT: RULE 14. PLAYER INVITATION & RULE 15. PLAYER POACHING

To All club Secretaries
It has come to the attention of the FSMT that clubs are inviting players to open training days – this is in breach of the DDSL/FAI rules on poaching players
A player who is properly registered to a club remains with that club until mid-night on the 30th June 2025. Any club(s) that advertise open training sessions before that date are in breach of the rules set out below
PLAYER MOVEMENT:
RULE 14. PLAYER INVITATION
1.
No DDSL club is permitted to request or invite a player from another DDSL club for training, coaching, or playing games either within their club, academy, or associated academy during the official playing season August 1st to June 30th the following year.
RULE 15. PLAYER POACHING
1.
When a player becomes a registered player with a club/team in any league it shall be an offence for any official, member of any other club/team or any other person to approach, encourage or influence that player or their or parents/guardians on their behalf to seek a transfer to another team, participate in training coaching or games under the auspices of another team.
2.
Such an offence shall be deemed to be “poaching” and any person found culpable shall render themselves and/or their team/club liable to a fine and/or suspension and their club/team shall be.
– Deducted 15 points for a first offence and a Fine €200
– Automatically relegated for a further offence and a Fine €300

End of Season Update

A number of clubs/managers/parents have been in contact looking for an update on the above. See below

RESULTS

  • As we are nearing the end of the season….with some Competitive Divisions already complete…..can Club Secretaries contact your managers to ensure all their results are entered correctly. If there are any O/S results not yet entered, please forward them to results@ddsl.ie
  • If there are any incorrect results entered, please forward your query to the DDSL Relevant Fixture Secretary ASAP & cc results@ddsl.ie. These ‘Incorrect results’ will be checked to ensure all Divisions are up to date.

END OF SEASON GAMES:

SSG Games

  • Both Boys/Girls Divisions…from u7’s to u11’s…. will complete their season on the last week in May i.e. Sat/Sun 24th/25thMay. The following weekend is the June Bank Holiday Weekend & many teams have already looked for games OFF.
  • However, teams are permitted to arrange ‘Mini Blitz’s/Games’ for June…if you so wish….in order to provide more football for your teams/ players.
  • We had organised SSG Fixtures… in previous seasons…. into mid-June….but huge number of games were cancelled in June & therefore caused more confusion/organisation as a result etc.

Competition Divisions

  • Both Boys/Girls Divisions….from u12’s to u18’s….will complete their season at or before the June Bank Holiday weekend.
  • However, there are some Divisions who have a ‘Back-Log’ of DDSL League fixtures due to some teams been involved in DDSL/SFAI/LFA/FAI Cup competitions. Therefore, a small number of these Division fixtures may need to be played into June. The DDSL relevant Fixture Secretary will be in contact with the clubs….if this is the case.

 

League Winners/Runner’s Up Presentation

  • We will be in contact shortly with update on details for the League Presentations.

Yours in Sport

DDSL x Taka Partnership

The DDSL is thrilled to announce a partnership with Taka, a leading sports analytics company, for the 2025/26 season. This partnership brings cutting-edge tools to our clubs, including:

– Free analysis software

– Centralized player profiles

– Personalized development plans

– Additional club support

MLS Quality of Play Review

Taka Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of taka.io

Join us on May 19th at 7pm to learn more about this innovative initiative. CEO, Mark Shields, will be attending to share details and answer questions. We look forward to seeing you there. To confirm attendance please complete the link below. Thanks

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YRQNL3Y

Barry Ferguson

Director of Football

DDSL Cup Finals Update

Following recent matters regarding the scheduling of the cup finals and expressing our disappointment certain clubs not adhering to the dates set and indeed procedures for the 2025 cup finals, issued to all clubs back in August 2024 by the league.

We want to make it abundantly clear that the young players are not at fault in these circumstances and should not be deprived in any way.

In the interest of fairness to these young players, we have decided that those teams (and their oppositions) affected should not be penalized. As a result, any team who is unable to play on the cup finals weekend because of an approved trip, will have that Final rescheduled to take place during the month of May, the dates/Venues and times to be determined by the relevant fixture secretary.

We feel very strongly that no child should be deprived of the memories of playing in a DDSL Cup Final Weekend.

To ensure compliance with league processes in the future, a fine will be imposed on any club that failed to adhere to the rules for traveling away to play in tournaments and not fulfilling their obligations in entering cup competitions. Specifically, clubs are to provide at least six weeks’ notice if planning to travel outside the jurisdiction to play football from the SFAI & FAI.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the smooth organization of the league and upholding the integrity of our competitions and in the best interests of our young players.

On behalf of the Football Senior Mgt Team

Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League

DDSL Mid-Week Games

Following on and as promised at the meeting last, the information around mid-week fixtures is set out below – for the most current information please always check on the official DDSL website and social media platforms.

Mid-week matches will commence from Monday 7th April 2025, the fixture secretaries will decide the matches that will be played mid-week.

The following will apply to any team(s) who change the official fixture date without notifying the relevant fixture secretary, the game will be deemed null & void and no points will be awarded to the 2 teams participating in such a game.

 

The designated playing days are as follows

Saturday  U12/U13/U14 – Monday

Sunday U13/U14  Tuesday

Saturday U12/U15 – Wednesday

Sunday U15  – Thursday

Sundays U16/17/18s. Tuesday & Thursday

In the small sided games there maybe a small number of under 11s fixture to be played.

 

I reminded those present our rules on walk-over s given by clubs – I have included the actual rule for clarity

 

RULE 6. FIXTURE WALKOVER 1. 

During the season from August till the 30th of April any clubs who give a walkover (which has not been sanctioned by the League) shall be dealt with as follows. 

  1. 11 a-side league clubs will be fined €150, and the match awarded to the opposition per walkover. 
  2. 9 a-side league clubs will be fined €100, and the match awarded to the opposition per walkover.
  3. In all other games the club shall be fined €25, and the match may be refixed at the discretion of the relevant fixture secretary. 
  4. Any team who gives 3 or more unsanctioned walkovers over a season will be relegated from their respective League, have their results expunged and will start the following season with a deficit of 6 points. 

  1. During the season from the 1st of May until the end of season inclusive any club who gives a walkover which has not been sanctioned by the league shall be dealt with additional sanctions as follows: 
  2. First offence: 

A deduction of 6 points and the 3 points awarded to the opposing team for that match, and a €100 fine. 

  1. Second offence:

 A deduction of 12 points, and the 3 points awarded to the opposing team for that match, and a €300 fine. 

  1. Third offence: 

Relegation from the respective division and a starting deficit of 6 points the following season, and the 3 points awarded to the opposing team for that match, and a €500 fine. 

  1. A team already confirmed as relegated, giving 3 or more unsanctioned. walkovers will start the following season with a deficit of 9 points.

 

DDSL FSMT

THE DDSL CONDUCTS ONE OF THE LARGEST EVER UNDERAGE FOOTBALL SURVEYS IN IRELAND

THE DDSL CONDUCTS ONE OF THE LARGEST EVER UNDERAGE FOOTBALL SURVEYS IN IRELAND

 

In a groundbreaking initiative, the DDSL has conducted one of the largest youth football surveys ever in Ireland, gathering insights from 5,220 players, parents, volunteers, referees, past players, and others involved in the game. The message is loud and clear:

Football needs to be more than competition – it must be enjoyable for all!

This landmark survey of all stakeholders, has been conducted in partnership with S3 Solutions as part of the DDSL’s strategic planning process, ensuring that the findings directly shape the delivery of youth football in Dublin and surrounding areas over the next four years.

By engaging such a diverse group of respondents, the DDSL is ensuring that the voices of everyone involved in the game are heard and acted upon.

Key Messages from the Survey:

  • If it stops being fun, they’ll stop taking part. This includes players, coaches and volunteers, referees and all others involved in the game.
  • Children should be able to enjoy football in a safe environment. Player enjoyment, safety and wellbeing is paramount and should always be prioritised over winning.
  • Volunteers give up lots of their own time. They need to be supported to get involved and stay involved.
  • Referees are in it for the love of the game, but they get a hard time. The game day experience needs to improve.
  • Very clear views from stakeholders when they want to play! The majority scheduling holidays/breaks in July/August and almost 90% want to play in Sept/Oct/Nov.

“Our goal has always been to enhance the youth football experience for everyone involved. This survey provides a clear, data-driven mandate: we need to refocus on fun, inclusivity, and long-term engagement, not just results,” said Barry Ferguson, Director of Football in the DDSL.

The survey’s results underline the importance of keeping young players engaged by making football a positive, supportive environment—not just for the kids, but for volunteers and referees too.

A game that is enjoyable for everyone is a game that will thrive.

“We want to thank everyone who took the time to share their experiences. It is now our job to support the needs of our 130 plus clubs and all stakeholders involved in the DDSL. Their feedback

is invaluable in ensuring that youth football continues to grow and thrive in Dublin and surrounding areas.

The success will be measured by listening and delivering what all stakeholders for children’s football in the capital and indeed further afield.” added Niall O Driscoll, Chairman of the DDSL.

Please see attached, our survey key findings and Summary information for your attention.

For further information on the survey or to stay updated on the progress of our new Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029, please visit: https://ddsl.ie/

Further information Contact:

Barry Ferguson 087-764 0463 or Niall O Driscoll 086-256 0733
or e-mail at media@ddsl.ie

 

DDSL Key Survey Highlights

Preview attachment DDSL Survey Findings Presentation.pdf

Expression of Interest has now closed

The Eligibility Application Phase for clubs seeking to submit an Expression of Interest has now closed for the season ahead.

The league will be in contact in the coming days with all those clubs who communicated in the Eligibility Application Phase, and we would like to thank you for expressing your clubs interests.

REMINDER – Expression of Interest for the coming season

Expression of Interest for the coming season.

The DDSL wish to announce the starting process for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in the DDSL for the coming season.

This stage does not require any of the # Established Member Clubs to engage unless they are making an application under the criteria listed below as A2.

 

# Established Member Clubs applying through A1 will be requested to apply when the Renewing Submissions Phase opens on Friday May 30th 2025.

Clubs wishing to make an Eligibility Application at this time must comply with the Eligibility Table below.

The Eligibility Application Phase remains Open until 5PM on Monday March 31st 2025. Clubs who’s eligibility is deemed to have been met by the league will be invited to make an EOI Submission when the EOI Phase opens on Monday April 7th to Friday May 9th 2025.

Clubs who having reviewed the Eligibility Table yet wish to make an eligibility application where the application is deemed not to have been met will be advised by the league.

All communications to eoi@ddsl.ie only, communications made to other emails or individuals within the league may be considered canvassing which may result in your application being rendered null and void. The decision of the league is final.

Yours in Sport

Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League

 

3v3 Is back! Enrol today

We are delighted to announce we will be hosting a 3v3 Skills Festival for U7-U11 boys & girls on Sunday 13th April with our partners 3v3 Ireland in the Sport Ireland Dome, Abbotstown.

This will consist of 3v3 games along with various fun skill games for players to play on the day. Teams will consist of four players.
We will have various fun games on the day including Keepy Uppies, Head Tennis, 1v1s and Top Bin targets.

Numbers are limited. To book your team a place click on the following link https://tinyurl.com/3v3DDSL

• 3v3 Skills Festival 13th April
• Venue: Sport Ireland Dome, Abbotstown
• U7-U11 Teams Welcome
• Teams of four players
• Book Click Link Below:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ddsl-3v3-football-skills-festival-tickets-1284862380969?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT ISFOR DDSL ONLY ONLY

Silent Sideline Weekend

Silent Sideline Weekend ⚽️🤫

Let the Refs Referee
Let the Coaches Coach
Most importantly Let the Kids PLAY

NO TOXIC SIDELINE Behaviour!

Remember “it’s their game”

#itsmygame #silentsidelines