Coral Springs selects Springs Soccer Club to operate city travel soccer program after competitive multi month bidding process
Coral Springs, Florida – After months of meetings, revisions, and emotional public comment, the future of travel soccer in Coral Springs now has a clear direction. The city has officially selected RLC Management Sports Programs, operating as Springs Soccer Club, to run its travel and development soccer program for local youth players.
The decision came during a City Commission meeting on May 6, where commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of the selection. The vote followed a lengthy evaluation process that included multiple rounds of proposals and public feedback, reflecting just how closely the community follows youth sports in the city.
Six organizations originally submitted bids for the contract. After a structured review process, three finalists remained in the final stage: Fort Lauderdale Football Club, Parkland Travel Soccer Club, and Springs Soccer Club. A city evaluation committee ultimately ranked Springs Soccer Club as the top choice following final presentations held on April 28.
The process itself was not straightforward. Earlier in the year, the city paused the original selection after concerns were raised by parents and youth soccer stakeholders about transparency and timing. That pause led to a revision of the request for proposals and a second round of bidding designed to address those concerns more clearly.
City officials said the goal of restarting the process was to ensure fairness and improve clarity for families and organizations involved. When the revised proposal was released, it drew six total submissions, restarting competition for one of the city’s most visible youth sports programs.
Under the approved contract, Springs Soccer Club will pay the city 25% of registration revenue or $400 per player, whichever amount is greater. City officials explained that the funds will go toward maintaining sports facilities, including field repairs and a reserve fund intended for long-term turf replacement costs that could exceed $1 million per field.
The travel soccer program will operate under a new identity called Coral Springs FC. While the club will manage day-to-day operations, the city will retain ownership of the name, logo, and branding. Springs Soccer Club will be granted a license to use the branding under the agreement.
For many families, the decision was about more than just branding or contracts. During public comment, one parent raised concerns about rising costs associated with youth sports participation. He said the new structure would increase what he pays for his daughter to play soccer and questioned how the city might support families with multiple children in the program.
He urged commissioners to consider possible relief options, including sibling discounts or incentives for returning players, noting that youth sports costs can add up quickly for households.
City Parks and Recreation Director Rob Hunter responded by noting that the city already provides scholarship opportunities and can offer payment plans to families in need. Recreation staff also stated that the revised fee structure remains in line with what other competitive soccer clubs charge across the region.
Despite concerns from some parents, city officials emphasized that the selection process was designed to balance affordability, facility maintenance, and program quality over the long term. The revenue-sharing model, they said, helps ensure that the city can reinvest in athletic infrastructure used by thousands of young athletes each year.
The outcome also marked a disappointment for Fort Lauderdale Football Club, one of the finalists that did not win the contract. However, its leadership signaled continued interest in contributing to Coral Springs youth sports development.
Chairman Tom Smith addressed the commission and said his organization still hopes to be involved in the community in some capacity. He outlined an informal offer that included building a small soccer pitch, providing scholarships, and donating field improvements. Smith estimated the total value of the proposal at roughly $2 million over five years. He also noted that he attended the meeting with his wife and four children, underscoring his personal connection to youth sports.
Even after the vote, some commissioners emphasized the importance of keeping collaboration open. Commissioner Sean Cerra asked whether the city’s recreational soccer league could still work with Fort Lauderdale United despite the travel program decision. City staff confirmed that such cooperation would still be possible.
That distinction is important for families in Coral Springs. While Springs Soccer Club will now oversee the more competitive travel and development pathway, Coral Springs Youth Soccer will continue to operate the city’s recreational league, which serves younger and less competitive players.
Together, both programs form the backbone of youth soccer in the city, offering different entry points depending on skill level and commitment.
For now, city leaders say the focus shifts from selection to implementation. As uniforms, branding, staffing, and scheduling begin to take shape under the new Coral Springs FC identity, families will be watching closely to see how the transition unfolds.
What remains clear is that the decision reflects both competition and cooperation — between clubs, within the city, and among families who all share a common stake in the future of youth sports in Coral Springs.
