A Weekend That Moved the Game Forward
The soccer community across the region recently came together for the 2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium, and the buzz at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex was unmistakable.
Over the course of three days, the 2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium hosted coaches, referees, players, and club leaders from across the state. Hundreds of attendees filled the venue with a shared sense of purpose to learn, connect, and carry something meaningful back to the communities and programs they serve. By every measure, the weekend fully delivered on that initiative.
“2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium wasn’t just about delivering sessions, it was about developing people and raising standards across our state, equipping leaders with practical tools, and strengthening the shared philosophy that will shape the future of player, coach, and club development,” reflected Gareth Smith, Chief Technical Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “When our community grows together with this level of intention, the entire game moves forward.”
Three Days, One Mission
What makes the Iowa Soccer Symposium stand out is the intentional way it is built to serve every corner of the game. Rather than speaking to one audience, the weekend is designed to strengthen the entire soccer ecosystem, from the youngest players just finding their footing to the coaches, referees, and administrators who make it all possible.
Friday’s Player Development Day set an energetic tone to open the weekend. Sessions tied to US Youth Soccer ODP and U.S. Soccer Talent Identification initiatives gave clubs and technical leaders practical frameworks for spotting potential and creating environments where players can thrive. For many in attendance, Friday served as a reminder that development starts long before a player ever steps onto a competitive stage.
Saturday, the Symposium’s largest and most wide-ranging day, brought coaches, referees, administrators, and technical leaders together for a full day of workshops and interactive sessions. The energy throughout the day reflected exactly what the Symposium was built for, and that is people who care deeply about the game, pushing each other to think more deeply and apply more intentional approaches back home.
Sunday wrapped the weekend with a dedicated focus on officiating through two Referee Development sessions, including a Grassroots Course for first-time referees and a Development Course for those with one to three years of experience. With more than 250 participants on the day alone (including brand-new officials, experienced referees, mentors, and referee coaches), the energy and collaboration were unmatched. It was a fitting close to a weekend that left no part of the game’s pathway untouched.
“What an atmosphere. What an opportunity,” said Hidajet Tica, Iowa Soccer Referee & Sportsmanship Director. “Together, we are doing something truly unique, creating an environment that no other association in the country is currently offering. When we invest in referees at every stage, we don’t just grow officials. We elevate the game for every player on the field.”
Learning From the Best
The 2026 presenter lineup brought knowledge from across the sport’s landscape, with youth, collegiate, and professional levels all represented. Attendees had the opportunity to learn directly from Liam O’Connell (Technical Director, Men’s Pathway, United Soccer League), Ryan Thompson (Former U.S. Men’s National Team Goalkeeper Coach and Founder of RTG Academy & Keepers of the Americas), Ian Mulliner (Head of the Educational Network, U.S. Soccer), Dave Simeone (Director of Education and Programs, United Soccer Coaches), Roni Andrew (Coach Educator, USYS TOPSoccer), Tom Turner (Educator Developer, U.S. Soccer), Tim Bradbury (Director of Coaching Instruction at Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association), Colleen Corbin (Head Coach, Kansas State Women’s Soccer), Morgan Bron (Winning Edge Coach), and Gabe Rummell, M.S. (Founder of The Athletes Health).
Each session was designed with a clear goal in mind to provide practical, actionable takeaways that participants could put to use immediately. Not just information to file away, but tools to reach for throughout the upcoming season and beyond.
“It means a great deal to see so many soccer leaders invest their time to learn, grow, and connect,” said Craig Winger, Chief Member Services Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “That commitment across all areas of the game is what continues to move soccer forward in Iowa.”
More Than Education
The sessions and workshops were the backbone of the weekend, but the Symposium offered something else that is harder to schedule. Genuine connection.
With coaches, referees, administrators, and volunteers from across the region sharing the same space for three days, the conversations that sprang up between sessions proved just as valuable as the content inside the classroom. Old connections were rekindled, new ones were formed, and ideas that started as hallway conversations will likely show up in training sessions and club meetings for months to come.
That kind of community-building does not happen by accident. It is the result of years of intentional investment in an event to fully support the development of the Iowa soccer community.
“I think the sense of community is a strong component of Iowa Soccer’s value proposition,” said Derek Lippincott, Iowa Soccer Board Member. “I found myself connecting with people I’ve played, coached, and refereed with and against over the years. For me, that was equally if not more valuable.”
To contact the Iowa Soccer Association, please call (515) 252-6363 or email admin@iowasoccer.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!