Richmond Kickers announce restructured youth technical staff
RICHMOND, VA – (Via Richmond Kickers) – The Richmond Kickers have announced the restructuring of its Technical Staff, naming Michael Burke, U11-U14 Director, Ross MacKenzie, Kickers FUTSAL Director and ADP, U9/U10 Director, Andy McIntosh, U15-U19 Girls Director and Mark Stollsteimer, U15-U19 Boys Director, under the continued guidance of Leigh Cowlishaw, Director of Soccer. After 16 years of service with the Richmond Kickers, former Technical Director Ihor Dotsenko moved on from the club to pursue a position as a Technical Advisor with U.S. Soccer.
The Richmond Kickers Technical Staff will continue to guide the club through innovative and high-quality youth development programming and excellence in coaching, while providing the highest level of customer service and building upon the club’s unassailable reputation for success on and off the field.
Among other duties, each member of the Technical Staff will act as a main point of contact for his respective age group and serve as a technical liaison between coaches and the Director of Soccer, collaborate to ensure successful player placement and cultivate positive and proactive communication between parents, coaches and staff, while fulfilling the strategic direction of the club.
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Additionally, the club will strengthen the coaching staff with a Girls Assistant Technical Director and a Boys Assistant Technical Director. The new positions will assist their respective Technical Directors in the Kickers’ continued pursuit of excellence and expansion.
Leigh Cowlishaw, Director of Soccer
An integral member of the Kickers franchise since the club’s inception in 1993, Cowlishaw has compiled an overall record 271-148-125 over 18 seasons as head coach of the Richmond Kickers professional team. Under his guidance, the Kickers have qualified for postseason play 15 of the past 17 seasons, reaching the league title match six times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) and claiming the USL crown twice (2006 and 2009). Cowlishaw holds a USSF A License and provides technical direction and guidance for all levels of the Kickers organization. Essential in establishing the Richmond Kickers youth club in 2000, he works closely with the technical staff to oversee nearly 8,000 youth soccer players in programs sponsored by the Kickers and partner clubs.
Ross MacKenzie, Kickers FUTSAL, ADP and U9/U10 Director
As the Director of the new year-round Kickers FUTSAL, MacKenzie will oversee the meticulously designed program to provide additional emphasis on technical and tactical instruction. Named ADP Director in 2012, the former Kickers pro player became U9/U10 Director in 2014 where he manages the day-to-day operations and technical aspects of the Kickers innovative U9/U10 program while overseeing all aspects of player development for future Kickers travel players ages 6-8 through the Advanced Development Program (ADP). The native of Paisley, Scotland holds a USSF B License and a USSF National Youth Coaching License
Michael Burke, U11-U14 Director
As the U11-U14 Director, Burke acts as the main technical point of contact for all of the Kickers U11-U14 Boys and Girls, Classic and Elite travel teams. Involved with the Kickers youth club since 2001, he holds a USSF B License. A former Kickers professional player, he holds the franchise record with 61 assists. The perennial fan favorite amassed nearly 18,000 minutes in a Richmond Kickers uniform over 11 seasons and garnered Supporter’s Choice MVP honors on six consecutive occasions before retiring from professional soccer in 2012.
Andy McIntosh, U15-U19 Girls Director
Involved with the Kickers organization for 15 years, McIntosh joined the Technical Staff in 2004 as Classic Director, adding Director of Soccer Camps to his title in 2006. While continuing to oversee the Kickers camp program, the new staff structure will see him manage all technical aspects of the Kickers U15-U19 Girls Classic and Elite teams. A native of London, England, McIntosh received his BS in PE and Sports Science as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Physical Education from Loughborough University. He also has a USSF A License and a NSCAA Technical Director License.
Mark Stollsteimer, U15-U19 Boys Director
Joining the Kickers full-time staff in June 2012 as an Assistant Technical Director, Stollsteimer will now oversee all technical aspects of the U15-U19 Boys Classic and Elite teams. With 14 years of experience as a head coach at the NCAA Division II and III levels, Stollsteimer spent 12 years as head coach at Davis and Elkins College and two years at Millikin University. Holding a NSCAA Premier License, he brings over 10 years of experience as President, Technical Director and Director of Coaching for three different soccer clubs, serving most recently as Director of Coaching at the Bolton Wanderers Futbol Club of Illinois.
