Rejoining Southern United ‘best challenge' for coach
Sometimes taking a step back helps you move forward.
Kris Ridley stepped down from coaching Southern United earlier this year after three seasons to avoid any conflict as he took over as the Dunedin City Royals women's head coach.
But having a hand in the women's game all year round had been good for Ridley, who threw his hat in the ring and will re-join Southern United as the national league head coach again this season.
Coaching at club level differed from the national stage.
But having coached various levels in Australia, Ridley knew it was the "best challenge" for him.
"Coaching a club football team for 20 games-plus is a challenge beyond just a nine-week national league challenge," Ridley said.
"You get the love for football again.
"Even coaches like myself who coach all the time, you fall out of love every now and then with football and you're like ... 'what's my why?'.
"Albeit, the national league is a very serious competition. It's the biggest competition in women's football here in New Zealand — so why wouldn't I want to be a part of that?"
He is excited to get stuck in to another big national league campaign.
"Always excited. Very grateful that I've been selected again to lead the girls, and the staff, and look forward to that challenge every time.
"Probably more so this time ... when you consider trying to replicate 2023 — that'll be our aim," he said.
Southern United made it through to the final in 2023, falling just short to Auckland United, who were in some form.
Southern United finished eighth last year with three wins, two draws and four losses and their biggest loss was only by two goals.
"Last year we were a competitive side but the results just didn't come out way.
"We didn't get thumped. We were very unlucky.
"On paper, we had an amazing team but it just didn't work last year and that happens in football and sport."
Shontelle Smith was named the league's MVP last year, scoring five goals in seven games.
The national league kicks off later next month.
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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Rejoining Southern United ‘best challenge' for coach
Kris Ridley in 2022. PHOTO: ODT FILES Sometimes taking a step back helps you move forward. Kris Ridley stepped down from coaching Southern United earlier this year after three seasons to avoid any conflict as he took over as the Dunedin City Royals women's head coach. But having a hand in the women's game all year round had been good for Ridley, who threw his hat in the ring and will re-join Southern United as the national league head coach again this season. Coaching at club level differed from the national stage. But having coached various levels in Australia, Ridley knew it was the "best challenge" for him. "Coaching a club football team for 20 games-plus is a challenge beyond just a nine-week national league challenge," Ridley said. "You get the love for football again. "Even coaches like myself who coach all the time, you fall out of love every now and then with football and you're like ... 'what's my why?'. "Albeit, the national league is a very serious competition. It's the biggest competition in women's football here in New Zealand — so why wouldn't I want to be a part of that?" He is excited to get stuck in to another big national league campaign. "Always excited. Very grateful that I've been selected again to lead the girls, and the staff, and look forward to that challenge every time. "Probably more so this time ... when you consider trying to replicate 2023 — that'll be our aim," he said. Southern United made it through to the final in 2023, falling just short to Auckland United, who were in some form. Southern United finished eighth last year with three wins, two draws and four losses and their biggest loss was only by two goals. "Last year we were a competitive side but the results just didn't come out way. "We didn't get thumped. We were very unlucky. "On paper, we had an amazing team but it just didn't work last year and that happens in football and sport." Shontelle Smith was named the league's MVP last year, scoring five goals in seven games. The national league kicks off later next month.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Royals stay perfect to clinch South Island crown
The Dunedin City Royals celebrate winning the Women's South Island League in Nelson on Saturday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Dunedin City Royals have been crowned the queens of the South Island. They wrapped up the Women's South Island League title with two rounds to spare after beating Nelson Suburbs 3-1 in wet conditions on Saturday. Youngster Hannah Scott — the 15-year-old getting her first start — scored the opener two minutes in before Nelson equalised through Samantha Crawford. Defender Hannah Mackay-Wright scored a brilliant penalty in the 68th minute and Amy Hislop sealed it for the Royals with a screamer in the 82nd minute. It was good reward for a team who were up at 4.30am to catch a flight to Nelson and had a "sluggish" warm-up. Head coach Kris Ridley could not be prouder of his players, who knuckled down over the past few weeks to win the title. "It's what we set out for at the start," Ridley said. "We wanted to win the Kate Sheppard Cup and the league. "Cup, we were a bit short, but the league, we've done everything right so far. Three points every week and that's sort of what we aim for. "Just really proud of the group. "It's been a massive effort, especially probably the last three or four games." There was further reason to celebrate with stalwart Kelsey Kennard bringing up her 250th game. "We wanted to make it as special as we could," Ridley said. "The girls were probably doing whatever they could to win for Kelsey as well as winning the league, so it was a good double." Roslyn-Wakari drew 1-1 with NW United. Amelie East-Giles opening the scoring in the 13th minute but Roslyn conceded the equaliser in the first half stoppage time. Otago University beat Universities of Canterbury 2-0 in Christchurch yesterday. — There is still all to play for ODT Women's Southern Premiership with only one point separating Green Island, University and the Royals. Green Island beat Queens Park 3-0 with Hannah Post scoring a brace, University beat Roslyn-Wakari 3-1, and the Royals, who had beaten Northern 7-0 in a midweek catch-up game, were held to a 0-0 draw by Northern. The Royals have a game in hand.
1News
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Robertson's wish granted with Mo'unga's return in (red and) black
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