 "Photo: The Olympian")
James Ritchie, 28, hails from Glasgow, Scotland where he was a semi-professional soccer player until an unfortunate knee accident at the age of 22 caused his days of glory to stop short. Or so it seemed.
His glory days later came through, in the same beloved sport, through teaching soccer, instead of playing it. So he is now the head coach of the Olympic College men’s soccer team.
“This is a new program. We’re going to move on. It’s a clean slate,” Ritchie said about his new team.
According to the OC Athletics’ Web site, Ritchie’s predecessor, Kris Lowry, had a 2-42-2 record in his three years of coaching the team.
During Ritchie’s three weeks at OC, he said he still has yet to meet with all of the soccer players. His main concern for the team is lack of passion. He fears that last years season has caused their passion to subside. But he plans to bring that passion back.
“I see it as a great opportunity”, Ritchie said, “I want pride, I want effort, I want heart. You’ve got to be proud of what you’re doing”
He said many coaches fail to make practices enjoyable.
“A lot of players love the game, but hate practice,” he said. “You’ve got to mimic the fame in the practice field; make it realistic.”
Ritchie said, “If it’s not fun, there’s no point in taking part in it.”
He demands the best from his team; on and off the field.
Ritchie said he demands excellence.
“I want these boys to be gentlemen, both on and off the field. They must excel, academically as well as on the field,” he said. “It’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about doing your best.”
Ritchie is not only the coach for the Olympic Rangers. He is also the assistant coach for the Kitsap Pumas, a director of youth development with the Pumas program, as well as the South Kitsap High School soccer coach.
It is soccer year-round with him; with the Pumas in the summer, South Kitsap in the spring, and OC in the fall.
Ritchie said the difference in soccer in America compared to other countries is based on the countries’ culture.
“The game mimics the culture. Brazilian culture is full of flair, and very colorful, as are their players. Scotland is very industrial, and their players are much more aggressive. And the Germans are very efficient at what they do,” he said.
The OC men’s soccer team is still looking for quality players. Ritchie is not concerned with the talent, as much as he is the heart.
“I’m not asking for the world’s best soccer players, but I am asking for other things. These boys should be chivalrous, passionate and proud,” he said.
“Next year,” Ritchie said, “regardless of our previous season, we’re going to turn heads. This is a new team. We’re going to battle.”
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