As the 2022/2023 season draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of Dalkey United. It has been a very busy season, with 31 teams and over 600 children and young adults training and playing matches every week. None of this would have been possible without the commitment and hard work of all our team managers, coaches and age group coordinators. Thanks to each of you for giving so much time and effort to your teams.

There has been plenty of on-field success this season but special mentions must go to our U17 League Champions on winning DDSL Division B, and to our Saturday U12C team, on winning the Maurice Price Cup. Congratulations to the players and coaches of both teams.

The highlight of the season was undoubtedly our expanded Champions League tournament which saw almost 400 children play in more than 100 matches over the May Bank Holiday weekend. A great deal of work went into preparing this and the club owes a huge thanks to the group of volunteers who organised it and to everyone, from chefs to refs, who helped out over the course of the two days.

Registration for the new season is now open. Unfortunately, we will be raising membership fees by roughly 10% next season. This is the first time we’ve raised our fees since 2019 and is in response to the significant increases we have seen in the cost of pitch hire at each of the training facilities we use, and to cover the increased investment by the club in coaches and training equipment. While we have secured some much-needed sponsorship for the coming couple of years, over the longer term the club needs to be run on a financially sustainable basis. Membership fees are by far our single most important source of revenue and consequently need to keep pace with rising costs.

As with every season the club will be looking to expand its membership. In particular we are hoping to recruit more players into our boys and girls teenage age groups. If you could spread the word through your sons and daughters that would be a great help. Trials will be conducted during the summer, so please contact the respective age group coordinators for further information.

Planning for the new season is already underway and finalising player numbers as soon as possible is a priority. To assist our preparations, please let team managers know whether your child will or will not return for the 2023/2024 season. We expect training to resume in August for those age groups playing in leagues. The Academy will return in early September. Your team managers will be in touch once the dates are confirmed.

Finally, thank you to my fellow committee members for the significant amount of work that you do behind the scenes.

We hope you enjoy the summer and look forward to welcoming you all back next season.

Dara Marnell

Chairman

Limited Spaces Remain in Summer Camps

Hyde Park will once again be busy with a full slate of summer camps. We’re also planning for a girls-only camp with female coaches. Camps will run for the weeks starting June 19th and 26th for children born 2008-2010 and for the weeks starting July 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th for children born 2011-2016. Camp registration is open (limited places remain)