April 26, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the contract extensions of Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky and First Assistant Coach Mika Elovaara. Additionally, Elovaara takes on a greater role with the club as Head Assistant Coach and Director of Methodology and Development. Per club policy, details of both contract extensions will not be released.
“The Richmond Kickers family is excited to extend our relationship with both Darren and Mika through the 2022 season and beyond,” Richmond Kickers’ Chairman and President Rob Ukrop said. “While most fans talk about the on-field success we have had recently, we are most proud of the relationships Darren and Mika have built within the RVA community and their efforts to bring in humble, hard-working players who excel not only on the field but also in their commitment to strengthening our community.
“We are happy that we will continue to see Darren and Mika on the sidelines for years to come, and best of all, their loving families at City Stadium cheering them on!”
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Named the eighth head coach of the Kickers on November 6, 2019, and later adding the title of Chief Sporting Officer on November 19, 2020, Darren Sawatzky is currently in his third season at the helm of the Richmond Kickers’ first team. He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A License and a UEFA A/French Federation Formation license.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work for such a historic club and with great people,” Sawatzky said. “We are working to make the community proud, and to have the confidence of our leadership to keep pushing forward to build a perpetuating winner is something we take pride in.”
In his first season with the Kickers in 2020, Sawatzky led the club to an 8-6-2 record – the club’s first winning record in four seasons – while navigating the team through the COVID-19 pandemic without a single positive…