RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, March 14, 2007) – Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Technical Director and Richmond Kickers Future Head Coach Ihor Dotsenko recently obtained his UEFA “A” License, joining a select group of coaches in Virginia to hold this qualification.

“The entire Kickers organization is proud to see Ihor accomplish so much in such a brief period of time,” comments Richmond Kickers Vice President, Soccer Programs Leigh Cowlishaw.  “We are honored to have him as our Youth Club Technical Director and we look forward to the continued growth and success his leadership will bring to our Club.”

A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Dotsenko has been an integral component of the Richmond Kickers staff at all levels, from the youth to the professional ranks.  In addition to his UEFA “A” License, he holds a USSF “A” License as well as a USSF Youth License.  Dotsenko was named Technical Director of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club (RKYSC) in December of 2003 where he oversees the entire youth program, including the recreational and travel programs (up to U-18) as well as the Super Y-League program.  In addition to managing the technical development of RKYSC including 60 travel teams, nine Super Y-League teams and over 4,000 recreational players, he coached the Kickers U-17 Elite Boys to the club’s first State Cup Championship last fall. 

He has played soccer professionally for seven seasons including for the Richmond Kickers (1998, 2002-2003, 2006) and his experience extends to the USL First Division, Major League Soccer and the National Professional Soccer League.  Dotsenko has had stints with the Lehigh Valley Steam (USL1), Raleigh Capital Express (USL1), Atlanta Silverbacks (USL1), Kansas City Wizards (MLS) and Philadelphia Kixx (NPSL), amassing a total of 41 career goals and ten assists for 92 points.  A versatile player who has seen time as both a midfielder and forward, Dotsenko rejoined the pro team as a player/assistant coach in 2006 after a two-year hiatus from professional soccer.

The UEFA "A" license is internationally recognized and the course is designed to help coaches gain detailed knowledge in the fields of soccer (technical and tactical themes, playing systems, game analysis, laws of the game, training session planning), sports psychology, sports medicine, leadership and teaching methods.