We, the undersigned residents and members of the Ormond Beach community, respectfully ask the City of Ormond Beach to provide a reasonable path for adults to participate in organized recreational soccer on City athletic fields.

A group of local residents recently organized an Adult Pick-Up Soccer Program through the Ormond Beach Soccer Club (OBSC). Players registered and paid through OBSC so the program could operate in an organized, responsible manner and comply with the City's requirements for use of its athletic fields.

The program was subsequently put on hold, and participants were refunded, after questions arose regarding whether OBSC's existing agreement with the City permits adult soccer activities.

We appreciate OBSC's efforts to work with the City, and we understand that the City must manage its fields, scheduling, maintenance, insurance, and liability responsibly.

However, we believe there should be a reasonable way for adult residents to participate in organized recreational soccer on the same public athletic facilities that serve our community.

The Ormond Beach Sports Complex contains numerous athletic fields, including dedicated soccer fields. The City already supports adult recreational athletics in other sports, and City records show that adult soccer has previously been permitted at the Sports Complex as a field rental. We are asking the City to provide a clear path for adult recreational soccer to continue.

This is not a request to interfere with youth soccer or take fields away from children. Youth programs should continue to receive the field access they need.

We are asking the City to work with OBSC and the community to establish a process that allows adult soccer during available field times, subject to reasonable registration, scheduling, insurance, fees, and other requirements.

Adult recreational sports provide exercise, community involvement, friendships, and an opportunity for residents of different ages and backgrounds to connect through a shared activity.

We respectfully ask the City of Ormond Beach to:

• Work with OBSC to determine how adult recreational soccer can be permitted under the existing agreement or amend the agreement if necessary.
• Establish a clear process for organized adult soccer to reserve and use available City soccer fields.
• Apply reasonable and consistent rules to adult recreational sports, including soccer.
• Allow adult soccer during available field times without displacing scheduled youth programs.

These are community athletic facilities, and we believe they should serve residents of all ages whenever reasonable field availability exists.

We aren't asking for special treatment. We're asking for a reasonable process that allows adults in our community to use available soccer fields responsibly, just as residents participate in other organized recreational sports.

Please support adult recreational soccer in Ormond Beach and help us get our community back on the field.