In Memoriam - Dougie Gordon.

It is with heavy hearts that we let you know that long-time RYSA/RFC U5-U8 Program Head Coach, Dougie Gordon, passed away on April 22, 2025 at age of 71. Dougie is survived by his loving family - wife Cathy and their three children, Stephen, Caitlin and Candace. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time. From the 1980s to 2015, Dougie had, in many different ways, an unparalleled and positive influence on our Club. Dougie was an excellent mentor who tutored many young Richmond soccer coaches, some of whom would help Dougie deliver his player development programs. Others would themselves continue on years later becoming Age Group Head Coaches or Team Coaches. 

Not only was Dougie’s impact on the development of young coaches obvious to see but also obvious to hear. Many unknowingly adopted Dougie's distinctive but very effective intonation placing inordinate emphasis on the last syllable of the last word of his sentences. For many years, Dougie delivered BC Soccer's coaching certification courses to our coaches. At one time, it would have been very difficult—perhaps impossible—to find a certified staff or team coach who had not participated in one of Dougie’s courses. Dougie was the pioneer of "age appropriate coaching". 

Though this paradigm is now an uncontested element of Canada Soccer's youth development model, twenty or so years ago it was not. Dougie, not only truly believed in this paradigm, but doggedly championed an understanding that children are not simply mini adults. As a result, the content of Dougie’s programs and the manner in which they were delivered were each always sensitive to a prime question: how do the children in the program best learn and enjoy?   One of the answers to this question was that players best learn when they have "fun". Dougie knew that "fun" should not be interpreted as a program marginalising word. On the contrary, not only was a player having fun important in its own right, but fun was essential in respect to player development and retention.  

Though Dougie’s philosophy and application of that philosophy were truly ahead of their time, without doubt Dougie was a wonderful coach because he truly enjoyed, indeed it was when he was at his happiest, teaching young soccer players.  There was no better example of the marriage of Dougie's philosophy, love of coaching and understanding of the importance of fun than when he played "Simon Says". 

Any Richmond soccer player (or parent!) fortunate enough to have experienced one of Dougie's “Simon Says” sessions will certainly remember, with a smile, Dougie's quick wit, and joyfulness.  In recognition of Dougie's contribution to soccer in Richmond, and with the support of Dougie's family, RUFC will be naming the Coach of the Year Award to the Dougie Gordon Coach of the Year Award. Rest easy Dougie. May your energy and love of coaching be a beacon to us all.