Reliance Foundation Development League
 | |
| Organising bodies | Reliance Foundation All India Football Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 7 April 2022 |
| Country | India |
| Number of clubs | 61+ |
| Level on pyramid | Youth |
| International cup(s) | Next Gen Cup |
| Current champions | Punjab (1st title) |
| Most championships | Bengaluru (2 titles)[1][2] |
| TV partners | Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (YouTube) |
| Website | RFDL |
| Current: 2025 | |
The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) is India's Youth Football league organised by the Reliance Foundation in technical support with the AIFF.[3] A total of 60+ teams participates in the tournament.[4] The league was founded to offer opportunities to the young players across the country.[5]
Background
[edit]In June 2021 it was proposed after a meeting of the AIFF and CEOs of all the ISL clubs that a new developmental competition called Reliance Foundation Development League would be introduced in 2022.[6] This new league would consist of the youth and reserve teams of all the ISL clubs, with aim to develop young players as there has been limited number of competitions and leagues outside the ISL since the pandemic. The teams would predominantly feature U-21 players with few overage players allowed as well.[7] The inaugural season of the proposed two-month league will be held in Goa inside a bio-secure bubble between January and March, following the same medical and safety procedures for 2021–22 ISL season, but got postponed to April 15.[8]
Player eligibility
[edit]- should be under-21
- should be at least 15 at the time of registration
- permission to include five players aged 21-23, no more than three players are allowed in the playing XI
- maximum of 24 players
- no foreign nationals
Seasons
[edit]| Season | Zones | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 | 59 |
| 2024 | 8 | 57 |
| 2025 |
Teams
[edit]2022 season
[edit]A total of eight teams competed in a single round basis.[9] A total of 28 matches were played.
| Clubs | |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Chennaiyin FC | Mumbai City FC |
| FC Goa | Hyderabad FC |
| Jamshedpur FC | Reliance Foundation Young Champs |
2023 season
[edit]59 Teams were divided into 9 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 4–8 teams.
2024 season
[edit]57 Teams were divided into 8 zones for the regional qualifiers, each containing 5–9 teams.[10][11]
| Clubs | ||
|---|---|---|
| East Zone | ||
| Adamas United SA | East Bengal FC | Jamshedpur FC |
| Kalighat Milan Sangha | Mohammedan SC | Mohun Bagan SG |
| Odisha FC | United SC | |
| Goa Zone | ||
| Dempo SC | FC Goa | FC Mardol |
| Geno FC | Pax of Nagoa SC | SESA FA |
| Siddheshwar SCC | Sporting Goa | |
| Kerala Zone | ||
| Gokulam Kerala | Kerala Blasters | Kovalam FC |
| LiFFA | Muthoot FA | Parappur FC |
| SAI Kollam | Wayanad United FC | |
| Meghalaya-Assam Zone | ||
| 4 for all FA | Little Stars Academy | Mawlai SC |
| NorthEast United FC | Pay for right FA | Shillong Lajong FC |
| Mizoram Zone | ||
| 1st Bn MAP Football Academy | Home Missions FC | Inkhel FC |
| Kulikawn FC | Muthi FC | |
| Mumbai Zone | ||
| Community Football Club India | Glorious Mothers FC | India Rush Soccer Club |
| Iron Born FC | Kenkre FC | Millat |
| Mumbai City | Oranje | RFYC |
| North Zone | ||
| AIPL FC | Delhi FC | Punjab FC |
| Rajasthan United FC | Sudeva Delhi FC | ZINC FA |
| South Zone | ||
| Bengaluru FC | Chennaiyin FC | Kickstart FC |
| Rebels FC | Roots FC | Snipers FC |
| Sreenidi Deccan | ||
Performance by clubs
[edit]| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Third place | Winning seasons | Runners-up seasons | Third place seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2022, 2023 | ||
| Punjab | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2024 | ||
| Kerala Blasters | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2022 | ||
| Sudeva Delhi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2023 | ||
| East Bengal | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2024 | ||
| Hyderabad | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2022 | ||
| Mohun Bagan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2023 | ||
| Muthoot FA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2024 |
See also
[edit]- Junior National Football Championship
- Football in India
- Indian football league system
- Youth League
- History of Indian football
- Indian Arrows
- AIFF Elite Academy
- Subroto Cup
References
[edit]- ^ "Bengaluru FC crowned RFDL Champion after a thrilling title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC". indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ Sports Desk, JE (14 May 2023). "Bengaluru FC Crowned RFDL Champion After A Thrilling Title Defence Against Sudeva Delhi FC". english.jagran.com. New Delhi: Jagaran English. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ "All you need to know about the RF Development League 2022". 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ Bangde, Arjun (30 June 2021). "ISL to propose a new league for reserve and U-21 players". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ Marcus Mergulhao (30 June 2021). "ISL proposes new league for reserve, U-21 players | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ "Hygiene officers and four sets of training protocols - What could be the 'new normal' during ISL 2020-21? | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ "Seven Hero ISL clubs to join RFYC in inaugural Reliance Foundation Development League from April 15". 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Reliance Foundation Development League Season 3 to kick off on February 14". Football Counter. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "RFDL 3rd season matches kick off in Mizoram". www.prameyanews.com. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
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