Troy Bingham to Lead New Soccer Program at SPIRE

05/04/2022

For years, SPIRE has been setting the gold standard in sports like basketball, track & field, swimming and more. Now, the world’s most popular sport is being added to the already growing list of offerings, with a new soccer program coming soon. International soccer legend Troy Bingham will be leading the charge to help develop the next generation of soccer athletes from across the world, right here in Geneva. 

With the 2026 World Cup being hosted in North America, the expanding success of the MLS and the growth of supporting leagues, there is a greater demand for American players than ever before. SPIRE is a natural fit in terms of its world-class facilities and resources to make them a major contender in the competitive soccer landscape. Leading the new program at SPIRE as the Director of Soccer / Head Coach will be former international star, Troy Bingham

“SPIRE has been involved with recreational soccer activities and competitive league play for many years,” says SPIRE Co-Managing Director Ted Meekma. “But we’ve waited to commit to serious training and development programming in the academy/camp/club space until we found the right leader. In Troy Bingham, we’ve found someone who approaches player development the way SPIRE does, both on and off the athletic field. And he implicitly understands the competitive landscape of soccer in Northeast Ohio, and beyond, at all levels.”

Bingham brings a wealth of experience with him as a former collegiate and professional player and a successful coach. Originally from South Africa, his strong track record across the globe is most impressive. Bingham’s history as a player and coach through the system will help athletes gain a greater understanding of what is required and what to expect as they navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond. Additionally, his business acumen off the field will help guide SPIRE’s long-term strategy and vision for the continual development of a self-sustaining program. As the current owner of the Erie Sports Center in Erie, PA, Bingham’s sports facility management skills are another reason why his skillset is the perfect fit for SPIRE.

Bingham describes his approach for this program, saying, “Our player development pathway is focused on individual player development and putting our players in challenging environments early on to ensure they can cope with the speed, physicality and intensity of playing at the college and professional levels successfully.”

Some of Bingham’s most notable accolades and accomplishments include: 

  •     South Africa National U19 Team
  •     All American
  •     Played in 2 Final Fours
  •     National Club Championship MVP
  •     National Club Championship winning captain and MVP with the University of Toledo
  •     Inducted into Gannon University Sports Hall of Fame
  •     Played professionally in South Africa, Canada and the United States
  •     Founding partner in Toledo Indoor Soccer Centre
  •     Founder of International Soccer Academy in the USA
  •     Founding Partner of Gold Coast Futsal
  •     Founder of Bond Soccer
  •     CEO Gold Coast United FC (NPL Club)
  •     National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Diploma
  •     Owner of Erie Commodores NPSL and UWSL Club

SPIRE is also excited to offer Inaugural Program Tuition Rates for 2022-23 for those interested in being a part of the new soccer program.

“I am really excited to be heading up SPIRE’s move into soccer. The facilities and people are first class and we can create a truly unique soccer development program that encompasses technical, tactical, physical and mental preparedness for the next level,” Bingham explains, adding, “SPIRE will provide an opportunity for our academy players to compete at the highest levels of amateur soccer in the USA, giving our players early access to senior-level soccer as part of our accelerated development process. Our links to top colleges and international academies will give our players great opportunities.”

Stay tuned for more updates and additional information in the next few weeks about this exciting new opportunity for athletes to train for the next steps in their soccer careers.

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SPIRE Contact info:

Phone: (440) 466-1002

Email: [email protected]

Address: 5201 SPIRE Circle, Geneva, OH 44041

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