DDSL x Q102 Competition

Dublin’s Q102, proud partners of the DDSL are thrilled to announce the 2nd blitz to sponsor local football teams within the DDSL. The previous jersey giveaway just weeks ago had THOUSANDS of entries when we left the voting to you – which resulted in over 120,000 votes in 24 hours. This time, 5 teams will get a new set of jerseys just in time for the new season. 

 

So, we want to hear from you!! 

 

Head to Q102.ie/football to enter and tell us about your team and why you need a new set of jerseys 

 

 Dublin’s Q102, proudly supporting the DDSL.

2024/25 FAI Youth Cup Entry Open

Please be advised that entry for the 2024/25 FAI Youth Cup has now opened. The closing date for entries for this competition is Sunday 18th August 2024. Due to the timelines, no entries will be accepted after this date.

 

Where applicable, can league secretaries please circulate this email to all your relevant clubs. Please make sure to include the attached guide when circulating to your clubs.

 

Please see the provisional fixture (weekending) dates for this competition below.

 

Competition FAI Youth Cup 2024/25
Prelim Round 15/09/2024
Round 1 06/10/2024
Round 2 27/10/2024
Round 3 24/11/2024
Round 4 26/01/2025
Quarter Finals 23/02/2025
Semi Finals 30/03/2025
Final 04/05/2025

 

FOR CLUB SECRETARIES

 

Please the below link for the FAI Youth Cup 2024/25. Attached is a guide on how to complete the entry form and make payment for this competition. The guide also contains steps on how to create a club account for FAI Connect.

 

FAI Youth Cup 2024/25 – Entry & Payment Link

 

Each club’s entry form information & payment will be processed through FAI Connect. If your club has not yet created an FAI Connect account, please contact FAIConnect faiconnect@fai.ie by email.

 

It is the responsibility of the club secretary to review all answers and make sure all information is clear and accurate.

 

The cost of entry for the competition is €30. One entry is permitted per club. Eligibility: Players born in 2007 or later.

 

PAYMENT PAGE STEPS – A comprehensive guide is attached to this email which includes images of each step.

  1. Login to your club’s FAI Connect Account – Personal Accounts with no affiliated club will not work.
  2. Follow the above link and you will be brought to the entry payment page.
  3. Firstly, select your club’s team ID from the list available.
  4. Select participation confirmation by selecting ‘Add to Cart’.
  5. Provide all club details (Kit Colours, Ground Address etc) – complete all questions and select ‘Add to Cart’ again.
  6. Select the Cart, then proceed to Checkout.
  7. Select ‘Pay Online Now (Stripe)’ and then ‘Proceed’.
  8. Lastly, provide card details to complete payment. You will be provided with a receipt of payment to the email address associated with the FAI Connect Account

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me (garret.higgins@fai.ie) if you require any further information.

DDSL Girls Section Meeting Monday 29th July

TO: All DDSL Secretaries/Girls Managers/Coaches:

Please note a meeting has been arranged for the ‘DDSL Girls Section’ on Monday 29thJuly 2024. There will be two separate meeting to deal with queries/updates for the different age groups.

A number of updates will be discussed including….Teams looking to play either U13 9-a-side or 11-a-side…..Update on MGL teams transferring to the DDSL etc.

To be held in the FAI Media Room, Abbotstown.

U7’s to U11’s : 6.45pm to 7.45pm

U12’s to U18’s: 8pm to 9.15pm

 

Our Head of Girls Section…Zoe Poole & our Director of Coaching Barry Ferguson will be in further contact with the ‘Agenda’

If there any issues you would like to have on the agenda…please e-mail Zoe at zoe.poole.fixsec@ddsl.ie

Please advise your ‘Managers/Coaches/Fix Sec to attend as we are always looking for feedback…both positive/negative.

SSG Surveys for Season 24-25

Dear Club Secretary

Please see below a Survey Link for all managers/coaches for the Boys/Girls teams for the age groups u7’s; u8’s; u9’s; u10’s & u11’s to be completed via Sportlomo:

https://ddsl.sportsmanager.ie/sportlomo/registration/event-registration/index/14189

This survey is vital in helping the Fixture Secretaries allocate the teams to their proper Divisions.

With regards to the u11’s Divisions…there are some results recorded already but the surveys will also assist in placing teams in the correct Division going into u12’s.

Please bear in mind, that if your Survey is not completed by your manager/coach there will be no point in clubs complaining about the Division they are entered into in September 2024.  As there are so many teams & the format is ‘non-Competition’ with no results recorded…this is the only logical way to ensure teams are in the correct Division and not resulting in huge scores/wins/losses etc…which is of no benefit to anyone.

Also, any comments/suggestions on DDSL are welcome…both positive/negative.

Please forward to all your relevant managers/coaches.  All surveys must be submitted by 31st July. It would be appreciated to receive these Survey Forms as soon as possible to allow us to plan for next season.

 

Any queries please contact us at clubcare@ddsl.ie

 

Yours in Sport

Mick Kennedy

General Manager

DDSL League Presentations 2023 – 2024

Please note that we plan to present DDSL League Medals to all teams on Saturday 15th June & Sunday 16th June in Abbotstown from 9.30am to 1pm.

Managers & Captains are invited to attend where we will present your Medals & a photo taken with the DDSL Cup for social media.

To ensure it runs smoothly the times for presenting Medals will be from 9.30am to 10.30am; 10.30am to 11.30am; & 11.30am to 1pm. If you can confirm by e mail to clubcare@ddsl.ie what time slot you will attend on the different days so we can have your Medals ready to present.

Well done to the clubs who finished Winners/Runners Up & also to all clubs & coaches/volunteers for putting in the hard work through-out the season.

Expression of Interest for TYPE-4 Clubs Now Open

Expression of Interest for TYPE-4 Clubs is now Open and all club Secretaries will be in receipt of an instruction email to assist in completing the process.

TYPE-4 Club Expression of Interest remains Open until 5PM on Friday June 21ST 2024

The DDSL Submission Committee have provided the date of Friday 21st JUNE @ 5PM as the closed date\time for submissions.

Clubs who fail to complete the submission on or before the deadline will not be guaranteed entry into the process, in turn they will be placed on a waitlist for consideration, to avoid this the DDSL EOI Submission Committee urge you to complete the 5 minute process early and well ahead of the deadline.

In order to complete the process you are advised to use the Main Club Username and Password provided to your club by the EOI Helpdesk at the start of season 2023-2024, you have probably been using these login account details throughout the season.

NOTE: Do not use any other sub-accounts that your club may have set up on the system as these sub-accounts do not have access to the EOI Process Package.

HELP IS AT HAND

If for some reason you do not have access to your Login Details or your club contact has changed please advise us of the issue and send updated contact details to eoi@ddsl.ie only, as it is the EOI Helpdesk only who can update changes to User Accounts.

Also we have attached a Quick Guide Handbook to assist you In completing the form.

The DDSL continue to be mindful of the stress that club volunteers face so it is important to note that if you seek assistance at an early stage we can decrease the stress and continue to support you through this process.

 

Quick Guide Link below:

DDSL Quick guide to completing the Expression of Interest Form Season 2024- 2025

Important Club Information

Dear Club Secretary,

We are writing to all clubs in relation to the season coming to an end and more importantly starting the preparations for next season to allow clubs plan accordingly !

Thank You

Thank you to all clubs, secretaries, managers, volunteers for all the time you have given (which often goes unnoticed ) to your club and indeed the league and on behalf of everyone in the DDSL it is appreciated.

 

We have made considerable improvements this season and are continuing our strategy to ensure the children’s needs become the priority in our vision going forward. It is of course a massive undertaking when you have over 130 clubs,2900 teams and 50,000 players and volunteers to get organised for 2024/25.

 

Cup finals

We were delighted with showcase finals and thank those aa of who organised and helped produce very successful event and we have no doubt we created many memories for all involved especially the players.

 

The exposure on social media by the league and clubs really sent an excellent profile of how good football is in the Capital and what it means to all of us.

 

Remaining Games & Results

Clubs are reminded they are expected to play games, especially if it affects the outcomes of a league i.e. Relegation/Promotion/Winners/Runners up and are also reminded of the rules governing walk overs/double fines etc.

 

Clubs are also asked to send any results (Current & outstanding) to  results@ddsl.ie    ASAP and immediately after games.

 

League Presentations

We have set the weekend of Sat 15th/Sun 16th of June to present all League Winners/Runners Up medals in Abbottstown .The format will be as last year ,where the Manager & Captain will come for an official photo call and receive their teams’ medals.

 

Club will be offered time slots as we have over 220 teams to present to. More detail to follow over the coming days with Mick, Edwina and Vikki assisting here.

 

Respect Campaign

The league will be introducing a whole range of changes in this area ,following a number of successful pilots such as; 1 min Freeze for abuse to refs, starting/finishing game routines, Match & Club signage, Captains roles in teams, all with the focus that players will teach the adults!

 

After all this is Childrens game not the adults….. it’s the least they deserve and should not be exposed to seeing sideline behaviour  of responsible Adults ! We all have a responsibility to build the next generation and lead by example…….. which means Respect and Zero Tolerance in life not just sport.

 

Expressions of interest for Next Season

This has been going on for the last 2 months and now opens for Existing clubs/teams  in the DDSL from June 1st. All clubs will receive details over the coming days ,so it is really important that clubs contact details are up to date on the Fusion system.

 

Updated insurance certs, Club contact info, no of teams entered is all part of this process. This season  will see the appointed manager by clubs included in the team panels of all clubs. Be warned there are very strict deadlines and closing dates to be observed.

 

EOI’s will not be processed where any fines/fees are outstanding to the league for the 23/24 season by a club.

 

Player Registrations

This will open as last year on the 1stAugust with a very quick renewal option for players already on the system .It will allow Parents  update address ,e-mails, club ,contacts, updated Photos (headshots ) and  ID’s subject to approval.. New players will have the same process as last year once they know the club they are joining. Clubs will then have the option to confirm and allocate the player to the relevant team as per rules. Costs will remain as last year. Some clubs may wish to use the system to collect there own membership fees and if interested should contact Sportslomo directly.

 

Player Recruitment.

It is great to see so many clubs running various events in June, such as Camps, Mini world  cups, Blitzes and the like….which are fully supported by the league ensuring we meet the needs of the players and providing activity etc. We will be encouraging this type of activities next season in the Xmas break and at the seasons end.

 

It is important to highlight under rules, Trials held by clubs are only permitted in the  Closed month of July and all clubs are reminded of the rules governing Player Movement (DDSL Sect 4 rules 14,15,16 & 17).

 

Season Start Dates

Please note the league is planned to start back for the 2024/25 season on;

Weekend 31st Aug/1st September          All  Boys 11- a -side teams

Weekend 7th/8th September                  All  Boys 9-a-side and All Girls 11-a-side teams

Weekend 14th/15th September         All Boys and Girls SSG teams.

Older age groups will have some midweek fixtures over the first 2 or 3 weeks.

Clubs need to be ready to start as no cancellations are acceptable .

 

League, fixtures and results formats

The league is currently reviewing the season calendar and league/fixture formats, regrading over various age groups and will advise in due course. Focus will be on playing as much football as possible for the players (age related of course) and the cancellation

of games will be defined by a new process for the coming season. More to follow.

In Conclusion, again thank you for your help last season and important to start the EOI process now (eoi@ddsl.ie )and for other matters should any club need help ,feel free to talk to Mick, Edwina and Vikki who are there to help.

 

Yours in Sport

FAI x DDSL Summer Workshops

 

We are delighted to be working with the FAI to bring you the below Workshops. Can you forward to all coaches in your club and ask them to follow the link to book onto a Workshop.

– Female in Football: How the female cycle affects performance and how we can manage this ?

– Parent Awareness Workshop: The role of the parent and how they can best support the player, the team and the club.
– Volunteer Support: How can we retain and recruit new volunteers ensure they feel valued in our club.

To see all of the offerings, dates & times, and to register you can do so here: FAI Club Project Summer Workshops RSVP

Please join the FAI, the DDSL, and Clubs over the next 3 months in a variety of free to attend Club Project Workshops. Click the link for more details and register here: https://forms.office.com/e/gRNwqMShye

DDSL Booking Document PDF Club Project Summer Graphic

DDSL Booking Document PDF

DDSL x O’Neills Sportswear

O’Neills Sportswear Proudly Announces Partnership with the DDSL as Official Kit Supplier

 

O’Neills Sportswear, a leader in sports apparel and equipment, is delighted to announce an exciting partnership with the Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League (DDSL), underpinning its commitment to fostering football excellence at the grassroots level.

The DDSL, a prominent youth football league renowned for its dedication to youth development and the promotion of football among boys and girls aged 7 to 18 years, has partnered with O’Neills Sportswear as its Official Kit Supplier.

O’Neills is the largest and leading sportswear manufacturer on the island of Ireland. Established in 1918, the Irish-owned and operated company specialise in the design, manufacture, personalisation, and supply of sportswear globally. With a passion for sport, supporting local communities and empowering players at all levels, O’Neills will provide cutting-edge football kits, training gear, and equipment to the DDSL.

Cormac Farrell, Business Marketing Manager of O’Neills states; “We are thrilled to be the new Official Kit Supplier of the Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League, an organisation that shares our commitment to fostering the next generation of football talent. Through this partnership, we aim to provide top quality, performance-driven kits that empowers players to reach their full potential and creates an exciting matchday experience for everyone involved.”

The collaboration between O’Neills and the DDSL reflects the mutual commitment to the growth of football in the community and further reinforces O’Neills’ position as a leading supporter of grassroots sports.

Niall O’Driscoll Chairman of the DDSL is delighted with Partnering ‘O’Neills’ saying ‘’ To be able to continue the long relationship between the DDSL & O’Neills is very exciting and well done to all concerned. Supporting Irish is important to the DDSL and to inspire the next generations to do so is even more important. We have no doubt this partnership will benefit all the stakeholders in the football community.’’

The DDSL with a membership of over 130 clubs in the capital, almost 3,000 teams, 11,000 volunteers, and 45,000 players continues to be the largest league in the country delivering over 1,500 games each week for children in the capital.

As part of the partnership, O’Neills will work closely with the DDSL to design and deliver bespoke kits that capture the essence of the league and inspire players and supporters alike.

For more information about O’Neills and the Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League, please visit www.oneills.com and https://ddsl.ie/ .

 

Media Contact:

Cormac Farrell; Business Marketing Manager;cfarrell@oneills.ie

Chris Dodd ; Commercial Manager ; media@ddsl.ie  

DDSL Season 2024 – 2025 Expression of Interest

Phase 1 Expression of Interest for season 2024 – 2025

The PHASE 1 ONLINE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS will remain live until 5PM on Friday
May 10th. Any Club who has not completed in this window will be placed on a waiting list by
the League.

Any matter relating to the process or inability to complete the process please send your
email to eoi@ddsl.ie only, as this ensures direct communications with the electronic
helpdesk dealing directly with the process.

Note: The Electronic Helpdesk is not responsible for the content submitted by any club, or
the outcome of any application. Applications will be reviewed by a Selections Committee
formed by the League.

As a League we look forward to receiving the completed PHASE 1 ONLINE EXPRESSION OF
INTEREST FORMS at the earliest date.

 

THIS PHASE 1 RELATES ONLY TO THE FOLLOWING CLUB STATUS.
[TYPE 1] NEWLY FORMED CLUBS where the 2024 – 2025 season is the inaugural
season for the Club who wish to:
• Start new teams in the DDSL.
[TYPE 2] EXISTING FORMED CLUBS (Non DDSL) who do not have teams in the
DDSL in the current season 2023 – 2024, but wish to either:
• Start new teams in the DDSL.
• Transfer existing teams from another league into the DDSL for the season
2024 -2025.
[TYPE 3] EXISTING FORMED CLUBS (DDSL) who do have teams in the DDSL in the
current season 2023 – 2024 but wish to:
• Transfer teams from another league into the DDSL for the season 2024 –
2025.
———————————————————————–
PHASE 1 DOES NOT APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING CLUB STATUS.
[TYPE 4] EXISTING FORMED CLUBS (DDSL) in the current season 2023- 2024 who:
• Do not have team\teams to transfer from another league to the DDSL.
• Do not wish to transfer team\teams from another league to the DDSL for the
2024- 2025 season.
[TYPE 4] Clubs will enter the Expression of Interest at a later date in May 2024
the league will provide a notification date late April in this matter.
For [TYPE 1, 2 ,3] Clubs ONLY
Please complete the following information and return to eoi@ddsl.ie
CLUB NAME:
CLUB SECRETARY NAME:
CLUB SECRETARY MOBILE:
CLUB SECRETARY EMAIL:
Once received the League will enter the club details into the DDSL FUSION System and
provide a unique Username and Password to allow you complete the

 

PHASE 1 ONLINE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM.
———————————————————————–
Please note for clubs of [TYPE 1, 2, 3] it is the sole responsibility of the club in question to
ensure that all relevant documentation has been received to allow for the possibility of a
transition to the DDSL to take place for the season 2024- 2025.
PLEASE ENSURE ALL DOCUMENTATION (INCLUDING EMAILS AS PROOF OF COMMUNICATION)
HAVE BEEN RETAINED, SOUGHT, AND ACTIONED BY ALL PARTIES WITHIN THE TIMEFRAMES AS
LAID DOWN IN THE RULES OF THE RELEVANT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE FAI AS THE NGB.

Click on Link below to Access and Download PDF

DDSL PHASE 1 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST