A New Perspective on Youth Soccer
Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) Director of Programs, Megan George was among approximately 300 individuals invited to attend U.S. Soccer’s 2026 herLENS Conference at the new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Hosted by U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, Emma Hayes, the two-day conference brought together professionals from across the soccer community to explore new perspectives on advancing the girls’ and women’s game.
Who was in the Room
While conferences focused on advancing women’s soccer often bring together individuals already committed to making changes, Megan George arrived wondering whether the conversations would reach a broader audience.
I’ll be honest: I walked in skeptical. Events like this are usually run and attended almost entirely by women, often in similar roles
– Megan George, VYSA Director of Programs
What she experienced, however, challenged those expectations. The conference welcomed participants from across the game, including coaches, technical leaders, investors, and individuals representing different genders and professional backgrounds.
“That gave me real hope and excitement,” George explained. “When decision makers from across the sport show up for this conversation, putting a female focus into decision-making starts to look possible.”
Filling the Gap in Coaching Education
One of George’s central takeaways was the importance of ensuring that coaching education reflects the experiences of both male and female athletes.
Much of the data we reference in coaching today is built on male experiences. That doesn’t make it wrong, but it does make it incomplete
– Megan George, VYSA Director of Programs
For VYSA, this perspective presents an opportunity to build on existing educational resources while incorporating additional research and approaches that better serve the entire youth soccer community.
“My goal is for VYSA’s Programming to provide content that is equally balanced between the male perspective and the female perspective,” George explained.
“Adding a female lens to our curriculum won’t replace what we teach. It will make it more complete, and it will better serve the players and coaches across Virginia who rely on it.”
Creating Challenge Without Creating Fear
One conference session, titled Creating Challenge Without Creating Fear, particularly resonated with George and brought back memories of her own college playing experience.
She recalled how comments from her college coach about players’ eating habits often came without meaningful guidance or education about nutrition.
There was never a conversation about nutrition, and no explanation of why certain foods weren’t a great choice at certain times of day. It was just criticism.
– Megan George, VYSA Director of Programs
For George, the experience reinforced the importance of coaching through knowledge, explanation, and encouragement rather than judgment.
“Coaches who are given the right tools can provide context and encouragement instead, and that is a powerful way to empower female players,” she explained.
“When players understand why, they can take ownership of their own development, and they won’t learn to fear judgment. That is the kind of coaching we want to support through our education programs.”
What’s next for VYSA
She also emphasized that building an inclusive environment involves more than focusing on athletes alone.
“Coming home, I’m looking forward to re-evaluating our programming so that it intentionally applies a female lens to everyone it touches: players, coaches, students, and educators.”
“The environment a girl grows up in is shaped by her coach, by the educator who trained that coach, and by the decisions made around all of them,” George shared.
“If we want girls to thrive, the female lens must reach every one of those levels.”
Megan’s participation in the herLENS Conference provides VYSA with an opportunity to bring new perspectives and conversations back to Virginia. Through continued education, collaboration, and thoughtful program development, the association remains committed to supporting its coaches, players, and member clubs while building the future of youth soccer across the Commonwealth.