Ridley has been appointed the new head coach of the Southern United women’s team, replacing Graeme Smaill, who stood down for health reasons.
He has been based in Australia, where he has had a long association with the Broadbeach United club on the Gold Coast, since 2006, but he is an old boy of Invercargill’s Verdon College and a former member of the Waihopai club.
"I’m really looking forward to this next chapter after living in Australia for the last 16 years," Ridley said in a statement yesterday.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Broadbeach United Soccer Club on the Gold Coast as a player, coach and women’s director.
"Now, having the opportunity to come home and give back to the region and communities where everything started for me as a player and coach, is something I am really excited about.
"I’ve given absolutely everything to football, and this journey will be no different."
Women’s football in the South is starting to hum with Southern United winning the Covid-adapted series last year and the Dunedin City Royals reaching the final four of the Kate Sheppard Cup.
Ridley is keen to build on that momentum.
"I’m excited to get the amazing opportunity to work with a very talented group of women at Southern United FC.
"Graeme, the staff and playing group have done an unbelievable job in 2021.
"To see a team from the Southern area where I’m from achieve what they did last season is a massive positive for all women and girls that play football from throughout the whole region."
The introduction of the national youth league was also a big step for the women’s game, Ridley said.
Then there is the carrot of the Women’s World Cup being held in New Zealand — Dunedin is one of the major venues — next year.
"Women’s football all over the globe is progressing at an amazing rate, so to now have a role where I can focus everything towards football in the Southern region is a great opportunity for me, and one I’m definitely not taking for granted.”
Football South chief executive Dougal McGowan was delighted to secure Ridley’s services just a few weeks ahead of the season.
"We’ve got people around the region who have known Kris for a long period of time," McGowan told the Otago Daily Times.
"He’s got a good pedigree, and people we’ve spoken to can’t speak highly enough about him, so we’re really excited."
Ridley would also be employed by Football South as a community development officer, McGowan said.
"We want to make sure we utilise his skills, because he’s got a lot of talent working with young players.
"He had some considerable success with Broadbeach United, and they play a good brand of positive football.
"So we are confident he will really build on the fantastic work that Graeme and others have done over the last couple of years."
The much respected Smaill would help Ridley wherever possible, McGowan said.
"Graeme has been amazing. He will continue to support the team and the players and Kris, which is a real positive, as and when he can.
"I think we will have a good handover, which is vital."
The national league starts on the weekend of September 17-18.
Southern United has drawn an away game first up against one of the northern league qualifiers.
Its first home game will be at the Logan Park Turf against another northern team on September 24.
