The Dublin and District Schoolboys League (DDSL) has decided to dispense with the FAI's Player Development Plan for Under-11 and Under-12 players.
In a circular, they informed club secretaries that from the start of the 2020-21 season, under-11s will be playing a 9-a-side format.
Under-12s will play an 11-a-side format.
The DDSL failed to give a reason for the change.
The Player Development Plan from the FAI asks for a 7-a-side format for under-11s, and 9-a-side for under-12s.
The FAI says that the lower numbers per team offer players, "increased ball mastery in various situations".
They say that "teamwork, team shape, playing together becomes more meaningful".
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the change to game structures has not been met with a great deal of positivity.
Current Head of Youth Development at Shelbourne, Stephen Henderson wrote on Twitter, "When you have zero leadership zero accountability zero respect for the players/coaches/ volunteers you end up with chaos. LOI on its knees DDSL jumping on FAI head because it can not because it’s right. Irish football at a critical stage & this is why. Suits without a clue.
When you have zero leadership zero accountability zero respect for the players/coaches/ volunteers you end up with chaos.Loi on its knees DDSL jumpiing on Fai head because it can not because it’s right. Irish football at a critical stage & this is why.Suits without a clue. 😔 pic.twitter.com/jEKw4RZUcy
— 🇮🇪Stephen Henderson☘️ (@stevehendo07) June 17, 2020
While goalkeeping coach for Bohemian's Academy/St Kevin's SSG, Christopher Conway wrote, "Once again the DDSL trying to destroy football it’s so frustrating Kids have already lost valuable time this year in there (sic) development in the SSG."
The FAI are yet to respond to the DDSL's move.
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