Olivia Ritchie is an Academy Trainer and Skills Trainer with Foothills, working across our grassroots and youth programs to support players’ technical development and love for the game. In her dual role, she helps deliver the detailed, high-tempo sessions that underpin Foothills’ performance pathway from grassroots to Pro-Am.
A Foothills player since U6 in 2009, Olivia has grown up in the club, and Foothills is the only team she has ever called home. She spent most of her youth career with the 2003 girls and was part of the Generation program from U15 to U17, experiences that exposed her to high standards, strong team cultures, and the demands of a performance environment. Olivia has also represented the club with Foothills WFC 17, giving her first-hand insight into the standards, culture, and competitiveness expected in our high-performance programs. That background allows her to connect naturally with young players. She understands what it feels like to be in their boots and uses that insight to design sessions that are challenging, game-relevant, and fun.
On the pitch, Olivia’s coaching focuses on ball mastery, decision-making under pressure, and the confidence to express personality on the ball. Her sessions emphasize high repetition, positive feedback, and clear, simple coaching points so players leave training knowing exactly what they did well and what they can work on next. She is especially passionate about helping girls see themselves as leaders on and off the field, aligning with Foothills’ women in sport initiatives to grow the pathway for female players, coaches, and trainers.
When she aged out of youth soccer, Olivia chose to carry her passion for the game into coaching, staying connected to Foothills as part of the next wave of young leaders in the club. Olivia is currently a student at the University of Calgary, balancing her academic studies with her coaching responsibilities. Her journey from U6 player to Academy and Skills Trainer reflects the heart of the Foothills philosophy: building excellent players and outstanding people through a supportive, standards-driven environment. Whether she’s running a tight technical practice or supporting game-day preparations, she brings energy, calm, and a genuine care for each player’s individual development.
