In November, at the Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) Annual
General Meeting, Ian Parratt was recognized as the Coach of the Year for the
state of Iowa. Ian’s impressive resume includes participation as a college and
professionals soccer player in England and Canada as well as coaching experience
at professional soccer level. He has managed the Windsor Wheels (Canada) and has
served as general manager of indoor Detroit Rocker’s franchise. At the college
level and high school levels, Ian has coached the University of Windsor (Canada)
as well as boy’s soccer in Iowa City at both West High and City High. With the
Iowa Olympic Development Program (ODP), Ian has coached various age groups,
including his son Tom, who is a current player on the Birmingham City Football
Club (Academy/U19) in England. Ian has served as the Coaching Director of the
Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club since its inception in 1997.
An example of the support he received follows: “Coach
Parratt has an infectious love for the game along with an impressive
understanding of soccer. Ian is able to teach the game on all levels whether it
is U8, an ODP player or to a naive parent. It is generally accepted that no one
in our region has a knowledge and understanding of the game to rival Coach
Parratt or a better ability to transmit that knowledge to his players. He is a
great motivator and an outstanding leader both on and off the field.
What really puts Ian above the fray in the soccer coaching
world is his integrity and professionalism. In the midst “win-at-all-costs”
attitudes, and competition for club survival and growth, Ian refuses to
compromise his high moral and ethical standards. There is not space to describe
how Ian has grown and marshaled the Alliance Soccer Club. Whether it is an issue
with player placement, coach or player development, or a tournament issue, Ian’s
sage advice has been much appreciated by all. Ian has been a major force in the
eastern Iowa soccer scene over the past decade. In addition to development of
the Alliance Soccer Club, he has introduced and developed multiple successful
programs including an indoor Futsal league, a winter indoor tournament, and a
summer outdoor tournament."
