Dane Ritchie Appointed Technical Director of the TCIFA
The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dane Ritchie as its new Technical Director commencing January 3, 2022. Mr. Ritchie replaces Andrew Edwards who returns to Jamaica. In light of this, The TCIFA would to thank Mr. Edwards for his contribution during his time spent in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As Technical Director, Mr. Ritchie will oversee the Technical Department with responsibility for all the football programs ranging from Grassroots to all Youth and Senior National Teams. Additionally, Mr. Ritchie will craft the introduction of a system of play responsible for the creating and instituting the TCIFA’s football philosophy, and lead the drive to achieve the objectives under the current Strategic Plan.
“A good football administrator takes his love for the game and instills it in you. Guiding the coach, he molds one the player he sees inside of you and watches your talent and dedication grow into a skill that both of you can be proud of”. This has always been Mr. Richie’s belief, which led him to forming his own guiding philosophy, since being involved in coaching football since 2002.
Mr. Ritchie’s coaching-education journey unfolded in earnest with a FIFA Women’s Coaching Course in September 2011. He went on to complete the Concacaf D License Course within one of the first batch of coaches in our region to do so in 2013, and then he tackled the US Soccer E License. In 2014, he was appointed Head Coach of the Academy Jaguars, competing in the Provo Premier (TCI local men’s) League, winning the championship title in 2014, 2015, 2016 and again in 2018. During this time, Mr. Ritchie also established a reputation within the national football programme as he was assigned Head Coach of the TCI National U20 Men’s Football Team that competed in two consecutive CFU U20 tournaments (2014 and 2016). In 2015, he participated as Assistant Coach of the TCI Senior Men’s National Football Team.
Mr. Ritchie’s coaching career development involved educational opportunities including the Concacaf Beach Soccer Coaching Course, FIFA Futsal Coaching Course, and FIFA Advanced Coaching Course. In 2017, he was selected by TCIFA as one of the TCI representatives for the FIFA/CONCACAF “Train the Trainers” Course, where he completed an intensive training program resulting in his being certified as a Coaching Educator. This certification continued in 2018, and in that year he also completed his US Soccer D License. In 2019 upon completing the FIFA/Concacaf Coaching Educators Course, he was appointed Head of the TCIFA’s Coaching Education Department. He continues to perform this role at present.
Most recently, Mr. Ritchie’s involvement in the national programme included the position of Assistant Coach of the TCI Girls U14 National Football Team and the TCI Senior Women’s National Football Team. He continues to make headway as he trails the final stage of his Concacaf B License requirements.
Mr. Ritchie’s remarkable strides in football is one that is distinguished, as he shares three on-field perspectives; that of a player, a coach, and a Referee. His contribution to the Turks and Caicos Islands Referee Association involves a 9-year journey where he played instrumental roles as Fitness and Technical Instructor. His successes in this area, landed him on the 2017 and 2018 FIFA International Referee’s List, as an Assistant Referee.
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford commented, “Dane has been a part of the TCIFA family in excess of a decade, working with our grassroots programme, youth and senior male and female national teams, in coaching education and as part of our referee’s department. Having touched so many areas of our organization, it’s almost a natural matriculation to the role of Technical Director. We are delighted that he is able to take on this position, and we anticipate nothing but continued excellence on his part, as he continues his contributions to the growth and development of football in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”