DV8 (8 v 8 American Football) was first developed in the USA for smaller High schools & Colleges so they could play American Football. In Ireland it is primarily used for Junior Kitted American Football League (15-19 Year-Olds), Smaller Towns (DV8 Development League) or 2nds Teams of full 11-v-11 American Football teams (DV8 Development League also).
Junior / Youth Kitted American Football
The first Junior / Youth Kitted American Football League was created in 1991, when the Northern Ireland Junior American League made the step up from Two-Touch to Kitted. It lasted two seasons, and from then the Ballymena Wolfhounds played international exhibition games against British opposition as they had no opposition in Ireland.
In the 2000s there were a number of exhibition games played among Junior Kitted teams, and in 2013 the first IAFA Junior Kitted Programme was officially launched, with a 7-team League, playing 7v7, 8v8, 9v9 Kitted Football (depending on the numbers on the day) in 2019.
Junior / Youth Kitted American Football (Decade / Era Overviews):
Irish American Football Association Youth Kitted League 2013-2019
Junior / Youth Kitted American Football (Seasons):
Youth Internationals (Club):
UK & Ireland Youth Kitted Football | Exhibition 1998 Box Score
Irish American Football Association Youth Kitted League (Seasons):
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Irish American Football Association Youth Exhibitions (Seasons):
Irish American Football Association | Van Scoy Junior Cup (Seasons):
Northern Ireland Junior American League | Kitted (Seasons):
NOTE: See also Junior Two-Touch American Football: early unkitted Junior Football with limited contact:
Junior Two-Touch American Football
DV8 Development League / Blitzes
The first DV8 Development Mini-League was created in 1993, for smaller teams like the Ardee Falcons (Co. Louth), and Dublin Tornadoes Vets (2nds team). Blitzes were played over the following 10 years, with another Mini-League (IAFL Division 2) created in 2003. Again Blitzes were employed up until the creation of the DV8 Development League in 2008, which lasted until 2012, when the League became the full 11v11 IAFL 1 Conference. The DV8 format was then used for the Junior Kitted League.
DV8 Development League (Decade / Era Overviews):
Irish American Football League | DV8 Development League 2008-2012
DV8 Development League / Blitzes (Seasons):
IAFA DV8 Development League (Seasons):
IAFA DV8 Blitzes:
IAFA | Irish American Football League | Division 2:
AFAI | DV8 Blitzes:
AFAI | Development Mini-League:
IAFL | 8-a-side Festivals (Seasons):