Iiro Haimi leaves Sotkamo Jymy to coach Kajaani’s women’s pesäpallo team

Iiro Haimi will step down as head coach of Sotkamo Jymy’s men’s team to take charge of Kajaanin Pallokerho’s women’s top-tier squad, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle. The move takes effect in October, following the conclusion of the current Superpesis season.

In his new role, Haimi will oversee the women’s first team and lead player development for girls’ and women’s pesäpallo in the Kainuu region. The appointment follows a collaboration agreement between Kajaanin Pallokerho, Sotkamo Jymy, and Superjymy to create a unified pathway for local talent—from youth levels to the elite Superpesis league, mirroring the existing structure for men’s and boys’ teams.

“Regional cooperation is key to achieving our goals,” Haimi stated in Superjymy’s announcement. “Kainuu needs a clear route for female players to reach Superpesis. Without it, talent and coaching expertise will drain elsewhere.”

The upcoming season will mark Haimi’s ninth consecutive year coaching in men’s Superpesis, including stints with Hyvinkää Tahko’s women’s team (2016–2018) and Sotkamo Jymy, where he joined in late 2023 and secured a championship in 2024. Reflecting on his tenure, he called his time in Kainuu “the most significant chapter of my coaching career.”

The long-term aim of the partnership is to elevate Kajaani’s women’s team to the Superpesis league, Finland’s top tier.