Alan Ross – Builder

Inducted 2013

St. John’s builder Alan Ross’s arrival to the shores of this province to teach at Memorial University, but more importantly, to coach soccer is still being felt today. Alan’s first varsity team not only went undefeated, it went on to win both the Atlantic Conference and the National Intercollegiate Soccer Championships. At the international level in 1985 Alan was a Technical Advisor for the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association’s Host Committee. This committee was hosting a FIFA World Cup qualifying game between Canada and Honduras resulting in a win for Canada giving them a spot in the 1986 World Cup. In 1972 Alan was appointed assistant coach of Canada’s National/ World Cup Team and served in that position for two years. During his career, Alan coached teams to two National Championships, the Canadian Intercollegiate championship in 1970 and the National U-18 Championships in 1974. He was the head coach for three Canada Games Soccer teams in 1973, 1977 and 1981. Alan won three Atlantic Intercollegiate Men’s Soccer Championships in 1970, 1971 and 1973. During this time Alan earned his CSA National badge Coaching Certificate which is the highest Canadian certification. His leadership and efforts in developing and advancing the game of soccer at both the Provincial and National levels did not go unnoticed. He raised the coaching, refereeing and playing standard throughout the province from 1971-1989 and changed the culture of how the game should be played and developed. Recognizing what he had to offer, the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association quickly offered to retain him as their Technical Director. Upon accepting the offer Alan immediately began the task of educating the soccer community of what was necessary for the province to move forward to become national contenders on a regular bases. His first task was to build a net work of certified coaches throughout the province. He accomplished this by travelling throughout the province conducting coaching and referee clinics along with countless player seminars. As well, he took a number of players, coaches, referees, and some administrators from all regions of the province under his wing to mentor. Believing in what he has to offer, these once young coaches, officials, and players have turned out to be the movers and shakers of today. These same people are directing the coaching and player development and overseeing the acquisition of funding for programming and building modern facilities. While the teams and the players he coached achieved success, it was the change in mind set, the philosophy and the approach to moving the game forward that he accomplished most. In many soccer circles today, the name of Alan Ross is frequently mentioned and he can certainly be referred to as the “Father of the Modern Game” in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1989 Alan was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame and in1990 he was inducted into the St. John’s Soccer Hall of Fame. His success was recognized nationally when he received the Award of Merit from the Canadian Soccer Association in 2008. This was in recognition of outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the sport of soccer in Canada at the Provincial and National level.