Coral Springs officials change course on youth soccer programs and now seek vendor focused on development and travel soccer
Coral Springs, Florida – Leaders in Coral Springs, Florida are taking a new direction in their effort to determine who will manage the city’s youth soccer programs. After weeks of discussion and vocal feedback from parents and coaches, city officials announced they will restart the selection process and focus specifically on development and travel soccer rather than a single organization running every aspect of the program.
The decision came during a workshop held Thursday, where city leaders agreed to issue a new request for proposals, commonly known as an RFP. The move effectively cancels the city’s earlier plan to choose one vendor to oversee all levels of the youth soccer system, including recreational leagues.
“This initiative builds on the city’s previous RFP issued in 2019, which resulted in the current agreement with Springs Soccer Club,” said Paula Rubiano, a spokesperson for the city.
The existing contract with Springs Soccer Club is set to expire on Monday, prompting officials to begin searching for a replacement earlier this year. Initially, the city envisioned selecting a single organization capable of managing a comprehensive soccer program that included travel teams, developmental squads, and recreational play.
However, that approach quickly drew criticism from members of the local soccer community.
Parents, coaches, and supporters attended several city meetings leading up to the workshop, voicing concerns about the proposal and urging officials to reconsider. Many feared that placing all levels of the program under one organization could disrupt existing teams, change coaching structures, and alter the identity of established soccer groups within the city.
In response to the community reaction, city leaders ultimately decided to pause the process and rethink their strategy.
Before the change in direction, a city committee had already evaluated seven submitted proposals and ranked the top four candidates. Officials had previously planned to invite those four organizations to present their ideas in greater detail. That stage of the process will no longer move forward.
Instead, the city will begin again.
Officials now plan to release a revised request for proposals on April 3. Under the updated plan, the city will seek organizations with experience specifically in development and travel soccer programs rather than a vendor to operate an entire system that includes recreational leagues.
According to Rubiano, the revised strategy also aims to strengthen the long-term stability of the program while giving the city greater oversight of how youth soccer is presented and organized locally.
“The revised scope is designed to provide the city with greater control over program branding and naming, while also reducing the need for frequent contract renewals,” she said. “This approach supports continuity for participants by minimizing disruptions, such as changes in coaching or program structure.”
City officials believe that focusing on development and travel programs will allow Coral Springs to maintain higher competitive standards while also preserving consistency for players and families who rely on the programs year after year.
Once the new request for proposals is issued, interested organizations will have 10 business days to submit their proposals. After that, a committee will once again review the submissions and evaluate the applicants.
The committee will then present its recommendations to the Coral Springs City Commission during a meeting scheduled for May 6.
For families and young athletes across Coral Springs, the decision could shape the future of the city’s soccer programs for years to come. City leaders say their goal is to balance stability with quality development opportunities while ensuring the programs remain responsive to the needs of the community.
As the new proposal process unfolds, local parents, coaches, and players will be watching closely to see which organization ultimately takes the field to guide the next chapter of youth soccer in Coral Springs.
