The 2011 DV8s schedule has been released by the IAFL.
This years league will feature 5 teams. Three of the teams are development teams – Tullamore Phoenix (2nd year), Drogheda Lightning (1st year) and Trim Bulldogs (1st year). The Carrickfergus Knights and Craigavon Cowboys are also fielding 2nd teams in a limited number of fixtures. As with previous years, the number of games each team plays various to take account of their development needs. It is also planned to hold a DV8s Blitz, open to all IAFL teams, in Tullamore on Sunday August 28th.
DV8s is an 8-a-side (as opposed to 11-a-side) version of kitted American football. It has two important development aims – firstly it allows newly established teams who are in the process of building player/equipment levels to gain valuable on-field experience while they recruit players/staff – a typical DV8s squad is c.16-20 players, as opposed to 30-40 in the 11s league. New IAFL teams typcially spend 2 years at DV8s level before advancing into the main league. Secondly, it allows some of the larger IAFL squads to field 2nd teams consisting of young inexperienced players who will benefit from game experience against similar opposition.
Link to fixture list: