RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday April 2, 2015) – Richmond United, a collaborative U.S. Soccer Development Academy program designed to serve the most talented players in the region, is pleased to announce the expansion of its program to the pre academy U12/U13 age group and the hiring of additional U.S. Soccer licensed coaches.
In 2013, the Richmond Strikers and Richmond Kickers announced the Richmond United U.S. Soccer Development Academy program, marking the first time in U.S. Soccer Development Academy history that two member clubs have united their respective Academy programs. This landmark milestone in Virginia youth soccer was reached through a unified vision and youth development philosophy between the two clubs. Richmond United has competed in its inaugural 2014-15 season among the U13/U14, U15/U16 and U17/U18 age categories and continues to build upon its successful 1st season by adding an additional pre academy age group – U12/U13, comprised of 2002 and 2003 born players, for the 2015 – 2016 seasonal year.
David Bulow, current Richmond United academy assistant coach, Richmond Kickers USL assistant coach, and U.S. Soccer ‘A’ licensed coach will lead the U12/U13 pre academy Richmond United team. Sascha Gorres, current Richmond United U18 academy assistant coach, Richmond Kickers USL professional player/assistant coach and U.S Soccer ‘B’ licensed coach, will take on the U13/U14 Richmond United academy team, on a full time basis, starting the 2015-16 season.
“In our assessment of Richmond United academy programming, our primary goal is to enhance the quality of our technical staff at the important developmental age groups of U12 through U14. The addition of David and Sascha allows us to fully integrate our philosophy of development and playing style among all age categories, as all members of the technical staff will assist each other among the 4 teams, to ensure a vertical integration among players and coaching staff” comments Richmond United’s U16 Head Coach Michael Milazzo.
“We are extremely pleased with the tremendous strides that the Richmond United academy program made in its inaugural year. As we continue to evolve, we feel that an investment in additional coaching staff at this point will provide outsize returns for our Academy players in the future. Both Sascha and David have a wealth of professional playing and youth coaching experience and we are excited to have them join Richmond United family” adds Richmond United’s U18 Head Coach Ihor Dotsenko
With over 50 years of combined operational experience and unassailable reputations for success on and off the field, the Richmond Kickers and Richmond Strikers will build upon the tradition of player development that is respected both regionally and nationally. The mission of the recently formed Richmond United is to provide the most comprehensive player development environment in Virginia. Additional information about the 2015 – 2016 Richmond United Academy and Pre-Academy season will be provided in the coming weeks.
Richmond United Academy Talent ID Weekends
Talent ID session 1 has been held March 28th at Ukrop Park for non-academy players born in 2000, and all players born in 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Talent ID session 2 has been held March 30th at Capital Park for players born in 2002, 2001 and 2000, 1999.
Talent ID session 3 will be April 12th at Ukrop Park for players born in 2003, 2002 and 2001.
**An informational meeting will be held post Talent ID session for all parents of players who have participated in the session.
Additional identification sessions may be added to the 2015 calendar or additional training opportunities with the current academy teams.
These talent identification sessions are by invitation only, as our technical staff and scouting staff has been evaluating players on an ongoing basis throughout training, games, and other soccer events. Richmond United Academy complies with U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy guidelines as it relates to identifying and evaluating players. The Richmond United Academy is not Travel Soccer and does not hold open tryouts in order to select players.
Players interested in joining the Richmond United Academy should send the following information: player’s name, date of birth and a detailed playing history and references, to Michael Milazzo at mmilazzo@richmondutd.com
All questions related to Richmond United Academy and Pre Academy program should be directed to Michael Milazzo @ mmilazzo@richmondutd.com or Ihor Dotsenko @ idotsenko@richmondutd.com
About the U.S. Soccer Development Academy
U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.
