Dan Ritchie played first XV rugby as a scrum half for ‘Norths’ in Brisbane Australia. He also played for ‘Falkirk’ in Scotland and ‘Mereloma’ in Canada.
Then he got in to coaching and was the head coach of ‘Norths”, former Director of rugby at Brisbane State High School (the school which present Australia Wallabies full back Jordan Petaia and centre Samu Kerevi represented).
At present he is the Queensland ‘Reds’ Under 19 coach.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily News, Dan said “It was my family influence, and I attended a catholic boys school Padua College, Brisbane and played cricket, rugby, basketball and athletics the whole year round, that’s the main reason why I entered the world of sport”.
“My Dad was a huge influence as he played 1st grade rugby in Brisbane, as did my grandfather. My brother and I are third generation players for who played in first grade rugby for North’s in Brisbane and that’s the reason why I chose the game of rugby”.
“Being a rugby player and a coach is no easy task, Rugby requires a lot of commitment and dedication. It certainly isn’t easy; there are good days and bad days as a player and a coach. Being part of a great team with great people is so rewarding and worth all the blood, sweat and tears”.
“When I was young my favourite rugby player was Wallabies star Steve Larkham, but if you take the modern day player, it is surely All blacks three quarter Damien McKenzie”.
“I enjoy playing golf (I’m slowly improving), love watching sports and relaxing by the beach, those are my favourite leisure time activities”.
“Winning a 10s rugby tournament in Belgium in 2013, was an amazing experience for a small nontraditional rugby nation, hence to date I cherish those moments very much”.
“My top priorities in life are my beautiful fiancée Georgia and our puppy Fred”.
“I like to compare myself to young rugby coaches who have worked hard to turn underperforming teams around”.
“The most embarrassing moment on the rugby field was playing in a 7s tournament and getting handed off by legendary Wallaby Radike Samo. He was carrying the ball in one hand, I attempted to tackle him and he handed me off with the ball in my face and scored; It was rather embarrassing”.
“In life I like to describe myself as an energetic, observant working person”.
“I’d love to be remembered as someone who impacted the lives of others in a positive way” concluded the former rugby player and present rugby coach Dan Ritchie.
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