September 24th, 2024– Audigr Group Inc. is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Mika Elovaara to its Sports Fund as a key advisor. Dr. Elovaara is a highly educated and experienced coach with both USSF (A Senior) and UEFA (B) licensing, bringing a wealth of knowledge in player development and team success. His distinguished career includes his current role as Head Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development and Methodology for the Richmond Kickers in USL League One.
Under Dr. Elovaara’s mentorship, the Kickers have seen remarkable progress both as a team and in individual player development. Over the past five consecutive seasons, at least one player from the Kickers has been selected to the First Team All-League, with a total of eight First Team All-League selections and three Second Team All-League selections during his tenure. The Kickers have also produced a three-time USL League One Golden Boot winner and three-time USL League One MVP.
In 2022, the Kickers won the USL League One Players’ Shield and showcased an impressive lineup of talent, including the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Assists Leader, Golden Boot winner, Young Player of the Year, and League MVP. Most recently, the club has signed three homegrown players, born in 2005 and 2006, to full professional contracts, with two of these young stars earning spots in the USL League One Team of the Week for Match Day 17. Under Dr. Elovaara’s guidance, the Kickers’ USL Academy team has also achieved success, becoming finalists in the USL Academy Cup and winning the South Atlantic Division title, earning an automatic bid to the USL Academy Finals in December 2024.
Beyond his work with the Kickers, Dr. Elovaara brings a decade of NCAA Division 1 coaching experience and almost ten years of academy coaching experience for both boys and girls. His contributions to player development extend far beyond the field, making him one of the most impactful coaches in the country. As a USSF A Senior Educator, he is involved in educating the next generation of coaches and has presented on a variety of topics at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Dr. Elovaara is also a co-author of an article on skill development in high-performance soccer, recently published in the German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research.
Audigr is thrilled to have Dr. Elovaara join as an advisor, leveraging his extensive experience and innovative approach to further elevate player development strategies. His leadership will be invaluable as Audigr continues to drive excellence in soccer performance and talent management.
For more information on how to become an advisor to the Audigr Sports Fund, please contact [email protected].
