Each season brings new challenges, new ideas, and new opportunities to raise the standard of the game. For the soccer community across Iowa, one weekend has quickly become a place where all of that momentum comes together.
The 2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium, hosted by the Iowa Soccer Association, returns this month as a dedicated weekend of education, collaboration, and professional development for players, coaches, referees, and club leaders across the region. Taking place at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines from February 20-22, the annual event continues to grow into one of the area’s most meaningful learning opportunities for those involved within the game of soccer.
More than a schedule of sessions, the Iowa Soccer Symposium serves as a shared space for the entire soccer ecosystem, a place where ideas are exchanged, connections are built, and the future of the game is shaped together.
“The Iowa Soccer Symposium represents more than continuing education; it is a learning community,” said Gareth Smith, Chief Technical Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “By bringing together coaches, referees, administrators, and technical leaders in a shared learning environment, the Symposium challenges us to think deeper, collaborate more intentionally, and apply modern, evidence-informed approaches that ultimately raise the standard of player, coach, and game development across Iowa.”
A Weekend That Supports Every Role in the Game
Rather than focusing on a single audience, the Iowa Soccer Symposium is intentionally structured to serve the full soccer pathway, from identifying and developing players to supporting coaches, clubs, and referees.
Friday, February 20: Player Development Day
The weekend begins with an emphasis on talent identification and long-term player growth, highlighted by programming connected to US Youth Soccer ODP and U.S. Soccer Talent Identification initiatives. Sessions focus on practical strategies clubs can use to better recognize potential and create environments where players can thrive.
Saturday, February 21: Coach and Club Development Day
The core day of the Symposium weekend runs on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is designed for club, high school, and college coaches, along with referees, administrators, and technical leaders. Through interactive workshops and classroom sessions, attendees gain tools and ideas they can immediately apply within their teams and organizations.
Sunday, February 22: Referee Development Day
The final day of the Symposium turns the focus to officiating, with two dedicated training opportunities:
- Grassroots Referee Course for First-Time Referees (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
- Development Course for Referees with One to Three Years of Experience (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
Both sessions emphasize mentorship, on-field learning, and real-time feedback while reinforcing Iowa Soccer Association’s commitment to strengthening the referee pathway across the state. Together, the three days reinforce a simple idea that when every role improves, the entire game improves.
Learning From Leaders Across the Sport
This year’s presenters bring vast experience from youth, collegiate, and professional environments, offering insights shaped by work at the highest levels of the game.
Attendees will hear from:
- Liam O’Connell – Technical Director, Men’s Pathway, United Soccer League
- Ryan Thompson – Former U.S. Men’s National Team Goalkeepr Coach, Founder of RTG Academy & Keepers of the Americas, Former Jamaica National Team Goalkeeper
- Ian Mulliner – Head of the Educational Network, U.S. Soccer
- Dave Simeone – Director of Education and Programs, United Soccer Coaches
- Roni Andrew – Coach Educator (Midwest), USYS TOPSoccer
- Tom Turner – Educator Developer, U.S. Soccer
- Tim Bradbury – Director of Coaching Instruction at Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, Coach Educator Developer at U.S. Soccer
- Colleen Corbin – Head Coach, Kansas State Women’s Soccer Program
- Morgan Bron – Winning Edge Coach
- Gabe Rummell, M.S. – Founder of The Athletes Health
Each session is designed to be practical and actionable, delivering tools and insights that participants can apply immediately to their teams, athletes, and playing environments.
“While the weekend is built around education and development for our players, coaches, and referees, what excites me most is seeing our players/teams step onto the field to train with exceptional coaches and presenters from a variety of backgrounds,” said Craig Winger, Chief Member Services Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “Those moments spark inspiration and create experiences our players carry with them long after the weekend ends.”
Strengthening the Iowa Soccer Community
While education is at the center of the weekend, the Symposium also offers something else just as valuable, and that is connection. This annual event is one of the few times each year when coaches, referees, administrators, and volunteers from across Iowa share the same space, offering an environment for trading experiences, discussing challenges, and learning from one another. Those conversations often continue long after the final session ends, creating relationships that help strengthen clubs and programs statewide.
“The Symposium has grown into one of Iowa Soccer’s premier events and one of the best soccer education experiences in the country,” said Dan Cataldi, Chief Executive Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “The entire Iowa soccer community comes together to grow and learn and move the sport forward. We are excited to welcome hundreds of coaches, referees, and players to learn from top instructors, engage with each other, grow their connections and cohorts, and improve the soccer community in general. It will be an exciting three days in West Des Moines!”
Attend the 2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium
The 2026 Iowa Soccer Symposium will take place from February 20–22 at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines. Registration information and fee options are available through the official event link.
For anyone invested in the future of soccer in our region, the Iowa Soccer Symposium offers more than a weekend of learning. This event is an opportunity to sharpen skills, share ideas, and return to your organization with tools to make an even stronger impact.
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!