(Des Moines, IA) – Pro Iowa, the campaign that looks to bring professional soccer to Iowa, is expanding the world’s game through a unique partnership with Musco Lighting and Kick it Forward that will donate 10 uniquely designed futsal-sized pitches to communities across the state, a $1 million project in total.
Musco’s Mini-Pitch System™ Modular Sports Solution offers an ideal opportunity for communities to rejuvenate abandoned courts and areas with limited space, creating a fun and active place that celebrates the spirit of teamwork, empowerment and fitness around the game of soccer. Each Mini-Pitch System is designed for futsal, a fast-paced small sided soccer game, and will come with lighting, fencing, goals and benches and can be assembled in less than one week. Once completed, each system will be accessible to the public.
“Revitalizing space and providing equal access are values that we strongly support through our work with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the mini-pitch initiative,” says Jeff Rogers, VP of Developmental Sales for Musco Lighting. “We are excited to see the commitment put forth by our partners, Pro Iowa and Kick It Forward, to develop sustainable soccer ecosystems that will help the Iowa youth grow and develop their skills.”
On behalf of Pro Iowa – Krause Group, the parent company to Kum & Go and the Des Moines Menace – is donating $400,000 towards development of the $1 million project.
“Pro Iowa is about making the world’s game accessible to all Iowans,” said Kyle Krause, Krause Group chairman & CEO. “By providing safer places for young people to play, we can continue to strengthen our growing community of young soccer fans throughout the state ahead of our professional soccer club and stadium debut in 2023.”
Musco Lighting is leading the construction and installation of the project, while Kick it Forward is working with local communities to identify sites and lead future programming opportunities such as clinics and tournaments.
“This commitment from Pro Iowa and Musco Lighting serves as a blueprint for soccer influencers and professional soccer franchises across the United States to follow,” said Matt Sahag, Founder of Kick it Forward. “Thousands of kids will grow up playing on these Mini-Pitch Systems while indulging themselves in a realistic dream of being a Pro Iowa player one day.”
Currently, four of the 10 mini-pitch sites have been finalized:
- Sunrise Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Pleasant Hill, Iowa
- Evelyn K. Davis Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines, Iowa
- Cheatom Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines, Iowa
- Leif Erikson Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Sioux City, Iowa
Construction on the Pro Iowa Mini Pitch in Sunrise Park was recently completed and is now open to the public, while the six-remaining mini-pitch locations will be revealed and construction completed in the coming months.
About Pro Iowa
The Pro Iowa campaign is our opportunity to put Central Iowa center stage, highlighting our community and regional momentum through the development of a multi-use stadium and its programming, spurring economic vitality, increasing tourism and showcasing Iowa by attracting major events. The campaign is also about bringing soccer fans together. This is the only way to bring the required soccer-specific stadium and the USL Championship League to Des Moines. Learn more or show your support at ProIowa.com.
About Musco Lighting
Since 1976, Musco Lighting has led the world in the design and manufacture of sports and large area lighting solutions. The company has pioneered the most innovative systems using metal halide and LED technologies, resulting in an unparalleled ability to control glare and light spill in a way that’s cost effective and energy efficient. Musco has been engineering systems around the LED for nearly a decade, and has designed permanent and temporary solutions for everything from Little League® fields to Olympic Games. The company has earned awards including an Emmy for the quality of its lighting in television broadcasts and a Technical Academy Award for movie lighting. Musco’s global team of experts partners with customers to plan, complete, and maintain a trouble-free solution for their facilities.
About Kick It Forward
Founded in June 2012 by Matt Sahag as a way to provide training to youth soccer players that wanted to improve their soccer skills while also impacting the lives of others in a positive way, Kick It Forward has evolved into an organization attempting to grow the game of soccer in a grassroots way. From covering and promoting high-school soccer matches to Soccer Talk, a podcast discussing soccer in Iowa, offering free soccer clinics and donating soccer gear to programs in need, Kick It Forward looks to continue growing the game of soccer in innovative ways. This latest venture, Musco Lighting’s Mini-Pitch System, brings the vision of Kick It Forward full-circle.
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