Wilco Ravestijn

Wilco Ravestijn

2008 & 2012 Lions AJAX Head Coach & Club Director

  • Obtained USSF "A" License in 2001
  • NSCAA Premier License
  • Former 5 yr Professional Player
  • Collegiate All American & National Champion

At the age of 10, Wilco began playing for his local home town club VFC (Vlaardingse Voetbal Club). At the age of 15 he transitioned to the regional professional club at the time called SVV (Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging), who’s youth program played in the upper levels of the Netherlands.


In 1993 he was recruited by West Virginia Wesleyan College where he was a four-year starter. During his time there he led the Bobcats to the Division II National Championship and received honors for 1st team All-Conference, 1st team All-South Atlantic, Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year, All-American and Wilco was selected to the Collegiate All-Star team of the East, where the top 18 players are picked from the NCAA Division II, III, and the NAIA. Wilco was signed by the Dallas Sidekicks in ’97 and in ’98 signed with the A-League team the Richmond Kickers before returning to Dallas to play for the Dallas Toros and other semi-professional teams for a subsequent 4 years.


In addition to the experience of the reputable Dutch club systems, Wilco obtained a National USSF “A” coaching license in 2001, an NSCAA Premier Diploma and also holds a National Youth Coaching License which are the highest licenses attained by very few career coaches. He has over 15 years of coaching experience with diverse age groups and levels helping 54 players reach the collegiate level of play of which many received scholarships and some went on to play professionally. Wilco resides in Frisco with his wife Kelly and sons Nico and Koen.



Wilco says his favorite moment as a player was the Cinderella story during the US Open Cup when playing for Dallas Roma FC. A team of amateurs took on goliath A-League and MLS professional teams and beat them against all odds.Read More…

About the authors

Wilco Ravestijn

Executive Director and Coach

Recent Posts

Playing Time In Select Youth Soccer

By Wilco Ravestijn • 02 Oct, 2023
Playing time in youth soccer can be a challenging balancing act for coaches and confusing for players and parents. What's fair and just? Well, the real answer is, "It depends," as many factors contribute to how much playing time a player receives. In this blog post, we will address the most important key factors, prioritize them, and attempt to bridge the gap in playing time expectations between coaches and players/parents.

The Squad System

By Wilco Ravestijn • 03 May, 2023
The Squad System - A better way to Enjoy, Develop & Compete

Rise of the Dutch Lionesses in Women’s World Football

By Wilco Ravestijn • 01 Mar, 2020
The Dutch Pride of Lionesses is on the prowl to dominate Women’s World Football. Over the last decade, the tiny country of the Netherlands has become a formidable contender on the national stage ranking third in FIFA Women’s World rankings behind the USA and Germany, but ahead of France, England, Brazil, and Japan. How does a country with a mere population of just 16 million compete with nations housing populations significantly larger with decades-long history?  The same unique footballing culture, methods, and philosophy that brought rise to this tiny footballing nation in the 70s and 80s and continues to dominate[...] The post Rise of the Dutch Lionesses in Women’s World Football appeared first on Dutch Football Club.

The Origins of Dutch Football Philosophy and Methodology

By Wilco Ravestijn • 17 Oct, 2019
The Dutch have earned a deserved reputation for their technical creativity, tactical awareness, attacking possessive style, and ability to know where and how on a football field to find their team mates. These qualities have not come about through accident, however. They are the result of a guiding philosophy and methodology that are instilled in players starting at the grass roots youth level. Dutch football is known for its patient build-up from the back, and early deep pass to set-up the attack, and the use of the “third” – or free- man to exploit goal scoring opportunities. Dutch players have[...] The post The Origins of Dutch Football Philosophy and Methodology appeared first on Dutch Football Club.
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