Pacific FC captain Jamal Dixon has officially hung up his boots.
For many athletes, retirement is a dreaded milestone, often postponed for as long as possible. But Dixon, who calls himself a “unique guy,” said he always tried to do things the other way around. In fact, he’s been planning on not playing for a while.
Dixon serves as Pacific FC’s Football and Player Development Manager. This work will include supporting the first team as well as developing local youth players through the Vancouver Island Wave program.
The move is something he’s been thinking about all season, and he’s had multiple conversations with Pacific FC chief executive Rob Friend and former teammate Julian de Guzman, both former pros in roles ranging from on-field to off-field executives. . They helped support and guide him throughout the process.
“As a player, you don’t know what’s going to happen next. I don’t want to be that player. I just want to plan to figure out what’s next and how to position myself to do so,” he said. “I could easily play another three years if I wanted to. You also have to be smart, you have to navigate your situation.”
The wheels have started to turn, with Dixon taking on a coaching role for the Island Wave scheme during the season, working with the Island Wave scheme’s Under-14 and Under-16 teams. So far so good, with the Under-14s winning the title and the Under-16s undefeated so far this year.
“I could have thought about continuing to play, but I think if I left the game I could offer so much more. I would be able to help players coming to the club, new players, I could help explain what the culture is, do all the little things to create a A better environment, and then the standard goes up. That’s what I want. I want the Pacific to keep winning championships.”
Dixon’s career is unique. The Canadian Premier League was set up in part as a developmental league to give players a chance to showcase their talents before moving on to the next level, usually in Europe. Dixon went the other way, and after a few years with the Victorian Highlanders, Dixon moved to Sweden, playing in the lower leagues, before moving on to several clubs in Finland, before returning to Canada to enter the into the First Division.
“I think I’m going to Europe is what I’m supposed to do. If the CPL exists, I mean, that’s where I’ve probably been hoping to get into another professional league in our country.”
While he said it was the right decision, Dixon said it’s important for Canadian Premier League players to help improve the league so that young players don’t have to travel far to develop their careers. Now Dixon thinks he’ll be able to do his best work off the field.
“I’m going to try to go back and shape some of these young guys, give them the chance to be in the national team, or make their dream of going abroad come true. I’m someone who I think can help because I’ve been through it, And in a completely different way than a lot of people.”
@moreton_bailey
[email protected]
like us Facebook And follow us on Twitter.
LangfordPacific FC Football West Bank