Victoria Highlanders News Release -- www.victoriahighlandersfc.com
Thursday, February 9, 2012
VICTORIA, British Columbia – The Victoria Highlanders FC announced today that the club will be re-signing PDL Head Coach, Ian Bridge, to a new two-year contract. Bridge has been the head coach of the Highlanders Premier Development League team for the past two years.
“I’m happy to continue my role as Head Coach of the Victoria Highlanders” said Bridge, “The club continues to grow through its academy and player development programs and I look forward to building on the first team’s success of last year.”
Last year Bridge led the Highlanders to the playoffs for the first time in club history, finishing second in the Northwest Division behind the eventual national champion’s, Kitsap Pumas. The Highlanders were knocked out in the first round of playoffs by the Fresno Fuego by a score of 3-1. Despite the loss, making the playoffs was a major accomplishment for the club and proved the PDL team can hold its own in a competitive international league.
“This is an exciting time for soccer in Canada,” said Bridge, noting the growth of MLS and the recent CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifier in Vancouver. “In Victoria, more and more of our young players will be pushing for First Team positions and that for me is the most exciting aspect of the Highlanders today.”
Bridge, a Lakehill and Vic High product, started his professional career in 1979 with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League, later playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Tacoma Stars. After the NASL folded Bridge played in the Swiss First Division before finishing his professional career with stops in his home town with the Vistas and the Kitchener Kickers of the now-defunct CSL.
Internationally, Bridge played in the 1984 Olympics and led the national team to their only World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986. He was capped 34 times and scored six goals in his international playing career. Bridge’s coaching career includes eight years as an assistant coach with Senior National Women’s side and 10 years as head-coach of the U20 and U17 Women’s Nation team.
Season tickets are now available offering purchasers ownership shares in the Club and access to both Men’s and Women’s games at Royal Athletic Park. Visit the team’s website at victoriahighlandersfc.com to view the latest updates for the upcoming 2012 season.