CITY OF
PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Ambreen Bhatty, City Manager
BY: Michael Sargis, Parks and
Recreation Director
DATE : March
9, 2010
SUBJECT: Adoption
of Minimum Standards for Youth Sports Programs
As you may recall, the 2009-2010 Youth Soccer Program ended with some behavioral issues that are not acceptable by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. There were numerous conflicts between participating parents, parents and staff and coaches and the Sheriff’s Office. While the programs continue to receive very high overall approval ratings, the conduct demonstrated by the Soccer program participants will not be tolerated in the future. As we reported after the program, the Parks and Recreation staff is in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of all athletic programs. This review will enable us to adopt certain policies that will be implemented to regulate the athletic programs.
To that extent, the first policy the department would like to adopt is the Florida Recreation Parks Association’s Minimum Standards for Youth Sports. (Policy document is available in the City Clerk’s office for review). These standards are meant to supplement any policies or procedures we don’t already have in place. These policies were developed by the FRPA with the philosophy that youth sports are just that – an opportunity for youth to experience sports in a safe and nurturing environment and not a to indulge in over competitive activities that sometimes result in a negative behavior by the participants and spectators.
The standards set by the FRPA deal with such topics as coaches’ conduct and certifications, background checks, conduct of parents, players, and coaches, and numerous other areas. While some of these procedures are a duplication of what we already have in place, I feel that they provide the additional support needed as we try to ensure positive behavior and conduct of participants, coaches and parents during future athletic programs offered in North Lauderdale.
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Administration recommends Commission consideration and approval of the attached resolution adopting the Florida Recreation and Parks Association’s Minimum Standards for Youth Sports in Florida as the Minimum Policy Standards for Youth Sports Programs in North Lauderdale.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE
FLORIDA RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION’S MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS
AS THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS IN NORTH LAUDERDALE;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE,
FLORIDA:
Section 1: That the City Commission finds the conduct at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 Youth Soccer League session unacceptable, and
Section 2: That the Parks and Recreation Department finds the need to improve the overall conduct in Athletic Programs, and
Section 3: That the City Commission does hereby adopt
the FRPA’s Minimum Standards for Youth Sports in North Lauderdale
Section 4: That this Resolution shall take effect
immediately upon adoption.
PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of
North Lauderdale, Florida this 9th day of March, 2010.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________________
CITY ATTORNEY SAMUEL S. GOREN
_______________________________
MAYOR JACK BRADY
_______________________________
VICE MAYOR JOHN R. CANGEMI
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
CITY CLERK PATRICIA VANCHERI