Fife Dark Blues Youth Development

Youth Development

Dudee FC Supporters Association

The Fife Dark Blues recently held a race night, in order to raise funds to aid Dundee F.C.'s youth development programme. The evening was a great success, and the total that the club raised on the evening was £725.37. This was only possible due to the fact that supporters, like yourselves, dug deep & participated in the evening. We intend to have at least two fund raising events a year, and hope that we can count on your support in the future. We, as a club, know that it will take a few years before we see the benefit of the youth development coming through, but if time is what it takes, so be it. With the likes of Kyle Benedictus coming through, then perhaps we won't have to wait so long.

We, as a club, were advised, from independent bodies, that if we want to make sure that the funds went to the youth development, then to personally contact John Holt. We contacted him, & he was delighted with the amount. John made time to personally collect the cheque, and also have a chat and give us an update on what’s being done to improve the youth set up at Dens.

''The under 19's are taking part in an exchange-tournament in Portugal in January, and the donation will go along way towards helping with the development of the young players. It costs a fair bit of money to run a youth set-up, with transport costs being particularly high at present, all the youth teams will face trips to faraway destinations, such as Dingwall, Dumfries and Stranraer. The cost of kit and equipment as well as match day and training facilities is also rising each season. We also use the Sports Science Programme through Dundee University and that is invaluable, it helps assess players’ fitness levels and addresses their physical and mental strengths and weaknesses as well as offering nutritional support, speed and agility exercises and so on, but again there is a cost involved. Although we get a grant from the SFA which goes part of the way to covering costs, it's greatly reduced from previous years. We are always needing investment in equipment & kit. And as I said, travel is the main cost. We have 2 mini-coaches that transport the young lads to away matches. The cost of fuel alone, eats the biggest part of our budget. Every penny that we get has to be accounted for. The cost of running a youth set up is phenomenal and we need investment & sponsorship from outside the Football Club.''

''Here at Dens we have age groups at U-12, U-13, U-14, U-16, U-17 & U-19. We hope to expand this and perhaps add another couple of age groups, later this season. We’re, without a doubt, looking to expand further, I’ve someone lined up in the Cumbernauld area who is keen to set up another development centre in the Central Belt. The main area we’re looking at is the younger age groups. The Academy teams start at under 12s but at the development centres we’ll also be working with under 10s and under 11s, so that when they get to under 12s they are better prepared. There is also the strong possibility of a girls U15 team starting.''

"In the past Dundee have concentrated on the local kids but given that my area when with Celtic was from the Forth Road Bridge to the very North of Scotland. I’ve brought in two coaches and a scout who worked with me then and I’m the process of speaking to a guy in Perth about scouting for us. I think my contacts can help us bring in more good players in the future.''

"Dundee’s demotion from the elite group of youth development clubs has had a financial impact but, although re-entry to this resumes in February, the club have expanded the set up rather than shrinking it. John though admitted that Dundee will need backing if they are to succeed "We need a sponsor for each age group." he said "That’s part of my remit, to speak to people and encourage them to back an age group. Fortunately, with help from groups like yourselves (Fife Dark Blues), we can continue to expand our network''

It may take 5 years to see the benefit of Youth Development coming through, but if we can produce players like Kevin McDonald & Scott Robertson regularly, then perhaps, just perhaps, Dundee FC can become a force in Scottish football again.

Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the age group Dundee FC teams can contact John by phone on 07855 407416 or by email at jon.dfcacademy@btconnect.com , or if you would like to make an anonymous donation, then please contact Gordon Barrie by email at treasurer@fifedarkblues.co.uk , and he will get back to you.

Youth Development
The Fife Dark Blues recently held a race night, in order to raise funds to aid Dundee F.C.'s youth development programme. The evening was a great success, and the total that the club raised on the evening was £725.37. This was only possible due to the fact that supporters, like yourselves, dug deep & participated in the evening. We intend to have at least two fund raising events a year, and hope that we can count on your support in the future. We, as a club, know that it will take a few years before we see the benefit of the youth development coming through, but if time is what it takes, so be it. With the likes of Kyle Benedictus coming through, then perhaps we won't have to wait so long. We, as a club, were advised, from independent bodies, that if we want to make sure that the funds went to the youth development, then to personally contact John Holt. We contacted him, & he was delighted with the amount. John made time to personally collect the cheque, and also have a chat and give us an update on what’s being done to improve the youth set up at Dens. ''The under 19's are taking part in an exchange-tournament in Portugal in January, and the donation will go along way towards helping with the development of the young players. It costs a fair bit of money to run a youth set-up, with transport costs being particularly high at present, all the youth teams will face trips to faraway destinations, such as Dingwall, Dumfries and Stranraer. The cost of kit and equipment as well as match day and training facilities is also rising each season. We also use the Sports Science Programme through Dundee University and that is invaluable, it helps assess players’ fitness levels and addresses their physical and mental strengths and weaknesses as well as offering nutritional support, speed and agility exercises and so on, but again there is a cost involved. Although we get a grant from the SFA which goes part of the way to covering costs, it's greatly reduced from previous years. We are always needing investment in equipment & kit. And as I said, travel is the main cost. We have 2 mini-coaches that transport the young lads to away matches. The cost of fuel alone, eats the biggest part of our budget. Every penny that we get has to be accounted for. The cost of running a youth set up is phenomenal and we need investment & sponsorship from outside the Football Club.'' ''Here at Dens we have age groups at U-12, U-13, U-14, U-16, U-17 & U-19. We hope to expand this and perhaps add another couple of age groups, later this season. We’re, without a doubt, looking to expand further, I’ve someone lined up in the Cumbernauld area who is keen to set up another development centre in the Central Belt. The main area we’re looking at is the younger age groups. The Academy teams start at under 12s but at the development centres we’ll also be working with under 10s and under 11s, so that when they get to under 12s they are better prepared. There is also the strong possibility of a girls U15 team starting.'' "In the past Dundee have concentrated on the local kids but given that my area when with Celtic was from the Forth Road Bridge to the very North of Scotland. I’ve brought in two coaches and a scout who worked with me then and I’m the process of speaking to a guy in Perth about scouting for us. I think my contacts can help us bring in more good players in the future.'' "Dundee’s demotion from the elite group of youth development clubs has had a financial impact but, although re-entry to this resumes in February, the club have expanded the set up rather than shrinking it. John though admitted that Dundee will need backing if they are to succeed "We need a sponsor for each age group." he said "That’s part of my remit, to speak to people and encourage them to back an age group. Fortunately, with help from groups like yourselves (Fife Dark Blues), we can continue to expand our network'' It may take 5 years to see the benefit of Youth Development coming through, but if we can produce players like Kevin McDonald & Scott Robertson regularly, then perhaps, just perhaps, Dundee FC can become a force in Scottish football again. Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the age group Dundee FC teams can contact John by phone on 07855 407416 or by email at jon.dfcacademy@btconnect.com , or if you would like to make an anonymous donation, then please contact Gordon Barrie by email at treasurer@fifedarkblues.co.uk , and he will get back to you.

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