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Coral Springs soccer families fight to protect rec league. Here’s what to know

By Reporting by Allison Beck. Produced with AI assistance
Mullins Park, one of Coral Springs’ largest recreational hubs, is where many community sports — including soccer — are played.
Mullins Park, one of Coral Springs’ largest recreational hubs, is where many community sports — including soccer — are played. Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

Coral Springs Youth Soccer families packed a City Commission meeting last week to oppose a city proposal they say threatens recreational soccer.

City officials said the program isn’t being eliminated but acknowledged they may have poorly communicated their plans.

FULL STORY: Soccer families push back over Coral Springs’ vision to reshape sport’s future

The Coral Springs Youth Soccer association serves approximately 2,500 participants each season.
The Coral Springs Youth Soccer association serves approximately 2,500 participants each season. Shaun Botterill Getty Images

Here are the highlights:

  • The city issued a Request for Proposals seeking organizations to create a “comprehensive” soccer program combining travel, recreational and developmental leagues — prompting fears that the 53-year-old Coral Springs Youth Soccer association would be pushed out.
  • CSYS president Denise Fatigate told commissioners the league’s mission is “to provide safe, affordable, inclusive soccer for every child who wants to play,” and warned that a for-profit partner could raise costs and pull players from recreational play.
  • Deputy City Manager Brad McKeone said the city envisions “one organization, under one umbrella of soccer” for better field use and efficiency, but insisted CSYS would remain part of any new structure.
  • Several commissioners, including Mayor Scott Brook, cited personal ties to the league, and officials offered to hold a future workshop with CSYS representatives to examine options.
  • Parent Heather Zardis, an attorney and mother of two, told commissioners her child “found a community” through CSYS, where “everyone gets to play” and “everyone gets to learn skills.”

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Coral Springs News newsroom. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by Coral Springs News journalists.

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