Cerritos reviews 2025 youth soccer league: 319 players, 85% residents; staff to consider schedule changes

Recreation Services Administrator Jill Toda presented an evaluation of the City of Cerritos 2025 Youth Soccer League at the Sept. 4 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, reporting that 319 players competed on 24 coed teams, that about 85% of participants are Cerritos residents, and that volunteer coaches contributed substantial time to the program.

“This year's league was comprised of 85% Cerritos residents,” Toda told the commission. She said the league ran from June 18 to Aug. 4 with practices and games at the Cerritos Sports Complex, and that volunteer coaches contributed roughly 1,353 hours during the season.

Toda described program features intended to reinforce sportsmanship, including a ‘‘Respect the Game, sportsmanship matters’’ keychain given by coaches to opposing players who displayed sportsmanship. She said end-of-season activities included an award ceremony on the island stage at Heritage Park and presentations by the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission.

Commissioners asked staff to respond to parent feedback. One commissioner noted that some parents preferred a schedule with one practice and one game per week rather than two games per week. Toda said the summer league typically runs seven to 10 weeks depending on the July 4 holiday and that teams play one to two games per week; staff will consider the evaluation comments when planning next year’s schedule.

On residency, Toda said Cerritos residents receive priority registration during an initial registration period; remaining spaces are filled with nonresidents and a waiting list when necessary.

A question about trophies prompted Toda to explain that first and second place teams receive trophies while third and fourth place receive medals, and that ties in previous years can increase the total number of trophies purchased.

The commission voted to receive and file the report at the meeting.