RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, April 6th, 2006) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the reorganization of the Travel Programs and Technical Staff. Over the last five years, the club has experienced significant growth in numbers and quality and we believe it is the perfect time to strengthen and reorganize our staff and travel programs to reflect that situation.

 

We have identified three distinct travel programs, each with its own age-specific and player-specific developmental needs. The Elite Program (formally Premier) represents the most competitive teams within the RKYSC structure and will be under the guidance of the Technical Director, Ihor Dotsenko. Elite teams compete in the Super Y-League, VCCL and several prestigious tournaments. The naming of our most talented teams to Elite follows the National trend and provides a consistent message to our soccer community. The Classic Program is composed of geographically based teams and all of our U13 through U18 Classic teams will be under the guidance of the Classic Director, Andy McIntosh. All Classic teams offer professional coaching, competitive league play and a focus on player development and life skills.

 

New for 2006, all U9 through U12 Classic and Elite teams will participate in our Academy Developmental Program, which emphasizes technical and motor skills development while encouraging individual creativity and expression. The focus of the program is not on winning, but rather on developing each player to his or her fullest potential and preparing them for success in the future. The program includes Coerver and Goalkeeper clinics, age specific pool training and winter indoor training. The Academy Developmental Program will be guided by the Academy Director, Mike Burke. Mike Burke comments, “This is a great opportunity to be an intricate part of our club’s development at the ground level.”

 

Finally, to ensure that all technical goals of the club are achieved, the club also employs the following Directors of Coaching: Summers Hambrick - MYSL Player Development Director, Elton Larson - Goalkeeping Director and Jesse Myers - College Guidance Director. “We have assembled the most comprehensive coaching staff in Greater Richmond to oversee the quality and future of our soccer programs, players and teams.  All of our technical staff are highly motivated and focused on providing top quality programs for our membership!” comments Director of Soccer Programs, Leigh Cowlishaw.  General Manager, Tim Krout comments,  " The restructuring will further align us with our club goals and I am very excited about continuing to be an intregal part of our program!"

 

Program	Ages	League Competition
Elite Teams	U11-U18	Super Y-League & VCCL
Classic Teams	U13-U18	VSLi
Academy Teams	U9-U12	ADSL

 

Name	Title	Qualifications
Leigh Cowlishaw	Director of Soccer Programs	USSF A
Ihor Dotsenko	Technical Director	USSF A, USSF Youth
Andy McIntosh	Classic Director	NSCAA National
Mike Burke	Academy Director	USSF B
Summers Hambrick	MYSL Player Development	USSF D
Elton Larrson	Goalkeeping Director	VA State ODP GK Coach
Jesse Myers	College Guidance Director	NSCAA Premier