For many, many years, DUDA has been responsible for operating the United Lottery and the DUDA Matchday Draw with the clear purpose of using the money raised to support Youth Development at Dundee United. This was to assist the Club to continue its track record of developing talented young players to become stars on the pitch for United.
In 2017, DUDA took the initiative to broaden the sources for this support by joining forces with other fans’ groups (ArabTRUST, Dundee United Business Club, and later ULT83) to form the Dundee United Youth Development Board (DUYDB).
The Board combines the funds raised and contributed by these groups and then works closely with the Club and the main Academy staff to identify projects, resources and activities which the Board can then support with funding. All the groups contribute substantial funds although DUDA is able to be the major contributor from its two principal fund-raising activities. However, we are always looking to do more!
From the point of the Board’s establishment in May 2017, well over £100,000 has been provided to support the Academy, particularly during the process to meet the criteria for the SFA’s Performance Progressive status which paved the way for the Club to elevate its Academy to Elite status within the Association’s new Project Brave structure.
The support provided has added to the Academy attracting the most promising young players and giving them quality training and development experiences. It has also been critical in sustaining Academy provision through some very challenging financial times for the Club (the Championship years – now gone!)
The Board’s aims are clear: to seek to increase its sources of funds through identifying new or improved fund-raising opportunities; to augment and enhance the Academy provision so that United is in the best possible position to attract the most promising young players for the future, and, in so doing, help to ‘close the gap’ between United’s provision and that of the larger and wealthier clubs in Scotland, and to see all of that yield a dividend on the pitch!