Pacific FC club captain Jamar Dixon has officially hung up his boots.

For many athletes, retirement is a dreaded milestone thatB次元官网网址檚 often postponed as long as possible. But Dixon is a self-described B次元官网网址渦nique individual,B次元官网网址� who says heB次元官网网址檚 always tried to do things the opposite way. He has actually been planning his step away from playing for some time.

Dixon is taking on the role of manager of football and player development with Pacific FC. The job will involve supporting the first team as well as working to develop local youth players through the Vancouver Island Wave program.

The move was something heB次元官网网址檇 thought about throughout this season, having many conversations with Rob Friend, chief executive officer of Pacific FC, and former teammate Julian de Guzman B次元官网网址� both former professionals who made the transition from on-field to off-field executive roles. They helped support and guide him through the process.

B次元官网网址淎s a player, you donB次元官网网址檛 know whatB次元官网网址檚 next right away. I didnB次元官网网址檛 want to be that player. I just wanted to plan to figure out whatB次元官网网址檚 next and how to position myself to do so,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 could play for another three years easily if I want. You also have to be smart, and you have to navigate your situation.B次元官网网址�

The wheels had already been turning, with Dixon taking on coaching roles with the Island Wave program during the season, working with the under-14 and under-16 teams in the Island Wave program. So far itB次元官网网址檚 gone well, with the under-14s winning a championship and the under-16s so far undefeated this year.

B次元官网网址淚 could have thought about continuing, but I think I would be able to offer more if I stepped away from the game. I will be able to help players that are coming to the club, new players, I can help with explaining what the culture is, and doing all the little things creates a better environment all around, and the standard then rises. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what I want. I want Pacific to continue to win championships.B次元官网网址�

DixonB次元官网网址檚 professional journey was a unique one. The Canadian Premier League was set up partially as a development league, in order to give players opportunities to showcase their talents and then move onto the next level, often in Europe. Dixon went the other way, having played with the Victoria Highlanders for a couple of years, Dixon moved to Sweden, playing in the lower divisions there before moving to several clubs in Finland, reaching the first division before returning to Canada.

B次元官网网址淚 think me going to Europe was what I was supposed to do. If the CPL was around, I mean, that would have been something where I probably would have been looking to get into another professional league in our country.B次元官网网址�

Even though he says it was the right decision, Dixon says itB次元官网网址檚 important for players in the Canadian Premier League to help raise the standard of the league, so young players donB次元官网网址檛 have to go far afield to further their careers. Now Dixon thinks heB次元官网网址檒l be able to best that working off the field.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a matter of me trying to get back to shape some of these youth, to get their chance to some national team or to make their dreams of going abroad reality. And IB次元官网网址檓 someone that I think can help with that because IB次元官网网址檝e been through it and in a completely different way than a lot of people have.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Pacific FC off-season: player and salary changes for next season

bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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