OTTAWA – Ottawa Rapid FC announced Thursday that they have named Katrine Pedersen as the team’s first head coach. Pedersen, a member of the Danish Fodboldens Hall of Fame, joins the team from the Danish Football Association, where she served in a talent development role.
A native of Horsens, Denmark, Pedersen is a three-time Danish Women’s Player of the Year recipient (2007, 2011 & 2013), and one of four Danish women to have a UEFA Pro License.
“We could not be more excited to be introducing Katrine as Rapid FC’s inaugural head coach. Proven leaders with this depth and breadth of experience are few and far between. That we’ve been able to attract someone as decorated as Kat to our club at this stage really speaks to the world class organization we’re building here in Ottawa,” said Ottawa Rapid FC CEO, Tom Gilbert. “Katrine adds proven leadership and player development acumen to an already dynamic Rapid FC technical team. While she may not be a household name in Canada yet, she will be soon.”
Pedersen represented Denmark in a record 210 international caps, serving as captain from 2003 until her retirement from international competition in 2013. While with the national team, she played in three Women’s World Cups and five European Championships (finishing third in 2001 & 2013). Pedersen’s 21-year playing career also saw her win championships with clubs in Denmark, England and Norway.
“We are thrilled to have a coach with Katrine’s extensive playing and coaching background come in to guide our team next year,” said Rapid FC Technical Director, Kristina Kiss. “Katrine is a coach who will challenge, develop and mentor every player on the team as we move through the season. Her understanding of the game and adaptability will be important to the success of the team as we bring players together.”
Pedersen was at the helm of Danish club, AGF in the Gjensidige Kvindeliga from 2021-2022 and, prior to her time as head coach at AGF, she served as the assistant coach with the Danish national team from 2015 to 2021.
“I am truly thrilled to be appointed as head coach of Rapid FC. A new chapter in the history of women’s professional soccer is being written, and I’m eager to embark on this exciting journey with the club,” Pedersen said. “My career in football has taken me to places I never imagined, and that journey has laid the perfect foundation for this new challenge. I look very much forward to helping build a professional environment where players will grow and learn together, and challenge each other in the pursuit of excellent performances.”
In addition to her UEFA Licenses, Pedersen, received her BA Teaching degree in 2009. She is also an ambassador for the Global Goals World Cup – an international women’s football tournament based on the UN’s global goals for sustainable development.
Pederson, 47, and her partner Maiken have two children Bjørk and Louie.
A formal media availability will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Fans are encouraged to stay up to date on club news by following on social media @ottrapidfc and signing up for the team’s newsletter at rapidfc.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jamie Deans
jamie@rapidfc.ca
About Ottawa Rapid FC
Ottawa Rapid FC is one of the Northern Super League’s six founding clubs set to begin play in spring of 2025. The club is built on the principles of community, continuous improvement, collective power and respect. Our goal is to build a world class sport organization that inspires greatness both on and off the pitch. For more information and updates on Rapid FC, please visit www.rapidfc.ca
About the Northern Super League (NSL)
Northern Super League is a new Canadian professional women’s soccer league, which currently consists of six clubs in key Canadian markets and is set to kick off in spring of 2025. The league is built by players and supporters of the beautiful game with best practices from around the world and aims to further Canadian excellence in sport, equity and inclusion. For more information and updates on the Northern Super League, please visit www.NSL.ca
