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

Wilco’s soccer journey began at the age of 10, playing for his hometown club, VFC (Vlaardingse Voetbal Club). By 15, he transitioned to the regional professional club SVV (Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging), whose youth program competed at the upper levels of Dutch soccer.

In 1993, Wilco was recruited by West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was a four-year starter. During his collegiate career, he led the Bobcats to a Division II National Championship and earned numerous accolades, including:

  • 1st Team All-Conference
  • 1st Team All-South Atlantic
  • Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year
  • All-American

He was also selected for the Collegiate All-Star Team of the East, an honor reserved for the top 18 players from NCAA Division II, III, and the NAIA.

In 1997, Wilco signed with the Dallas Sidekicks and, in 1998, joined the Richmond Kickers of the A-League. He later returned to Dallas, where he played for the Dallas Toros, Texas Rattlers and other semi-professional teams for an additional four years.

Wilco's experience within the renowned Dutch club system is complemented by his impressive coaching credentials. He holds:

  • National USSF “A” Coaching License (2001)
  • NSCAA Premier Diploma
  • National Youth Coaching License


With over 25 years of coaching experience across various age groups and skill levels, Wilco has helped 54 players reach collegiate soccer, with many earning scholarships and some advancing to professional play.


Innovative Leadership in Soccer Development

Wilco's passion for soccer extends beyond coaching into building innovative soccer organizations:

  • 2001 - 2012: Founded Club Classic Soccer and grew it from 1 team to over 65 teams across three locations.
  • 2018: Established the non-profit Dutch Football Club with just 4 recreational players. Today, it has grown to over 400 players and 20 coaches, dedicated to fostering a community-based soccer environment similar to what Wilco experienced growing up.
  • 2002: Created the Super Development League (SDL) — a first-of-its-kind league in North Texas. At it's time, Academy teams did not exist like they do today. North Texas State Soccer Association restricted professional youth coaches from forming and coaching teams under the age of 10. Wilco innovatively sanctioned the league through US Club Soccer, protecting professional youth coaches and enabling competitive development. Within three years, the SDL expanded to include over 300 Academy teams.

Wilco resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Kelly and their sons Nico and Koen.


When asked about his favorite moment as a player, Wilco fondly recalls the Cinderella story of the US Open Cup with Dallas Roma FC — a team of amateurs who defied the odds to defeat A-League and MLS professional teams. Read More…

About the authors

Wilco Ravestijn

Executive Director and Coach

Recent Posts

A Comparison Guide of Club, School, and Recreational Soccer Programs

By Wilco Ravestijn • February 13, 2025
There is no right or wrong way to any journey, only trade offs.

Dutch FC Welcomes Tim Trevino as Director of Coaching

By Wilco Ravestijn • August 28, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Playing Time In Club Soccer

By Wilco Ravestijn • October 2, 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 • May 3, 2023
The Squad System - A better way to Enjoy, Develop & Compete

Rize of the Dutch Lionesses in Women’s World Football

By Wilco Ravestijn • March 1, 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 • October 17, 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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