Introducing The New BRSC Director Of Coaching!!!
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Braden River Soccer Club, I would like to introduce the new Director of Coaching/Director of Soccer Operations, Kai O. Haaskivi.
Born and raised in Finland, Kai's exposure to soccer started early in life as his father served as the Director of Coaching for the Finnish Soccer Association for over 35 years. Although raised in a soccer family, Kai 's individual prominence in soccer began in the early 1970's as a member of the Finnish Youth National Teams. Kai earned his first cap on the Finnish National Team in 1977 and continued in the National spotlight for over eleven years including playing in World Cup qualifying matches in 1978, 1982, and 1986. During his National Teams career, Kai recorded 29 caps and 7 goals and played in Russia's Lenin Stadium, Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, Wembley Stadium in London, the Rose Bowl in California, Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Giants Stadium, Texas Stadium, RFK, the Houston Astrodome, and the Pontiac Silverdome. Kai has played against some of the best players in the world including Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Paulo Rossi, Kevin Keegan, George Best, and many others. Kai's professional career spanned over 18 years including stops with Finnish Premier League teams as well as with the Dallas Tornado, Houston Hurricane, and Edmonton Drillers of the North American Soccer League and the Houston Summit, Cleveland Force, Baltimore Blast, and Cleveland Crunch of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Kai's coaching experience is unmatched. He has coached at the professional, national, collegiate, and youth levels. Spending the last 5 years coaching in Ohio, coming to BRSC is a homecoming of sorts for Kai as, in the late 1990's, Kai spent over 4 years as the first director of the IMG Soccer Academies as well as coaching at St. Stephen's Episcopal School. Kai served as an assistant coach of two U.S. U-17 National teams. During his time with the National U-17 teams, team lineups included superstar players Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, and Taylor Twellman. Kai is currently a Staff Coach for the Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) and is highly sought after to host camps across the country.
Kai's hiring marks a new era in BRSC history. Kai is our first ever full time Director of Coaching. We are very excited to have Kai on board and look forward to his leadership as we continue to build what has undoubtedly become one of the premier soccer programs in Florida. Feel free to introduce yourself when you see Kai on the fields and please keep posted as there will be a number of exciting new opportunities for the soccer community of Manatee and Sarasota counties to enjoy at BRSC.
Attention Coaches
If you interested in coaching for the 2010-2011 season please fill out an application and return it to Kai Haaskivi, DOC or Dan Whitis, VP Competitive