Selma advisory board urges fee, outreach and staffing fixes after low youth sports turnout

Board members, council and residents spent a large portion of the Aug. 19 Selma Recreation Advisory Board meeting pressing for changes to how youth sports are priced, promoted and managed after officials reported declining registrations in several programs.

Board members said indoor soccer remains the town’s strongest program, but basketball, football and other offerings have seen decreased participation. One board member said the town “needs to get a standing operating procedure” for registration and program delivery to reduce last‑minute purchases and provide consistency for families. “We shouldn't be buying jerseys last minute,” the board member said.

A resident who identified herself at the meeting said registration information is hard to find online. “The information is not easily accessible to those who do not know where to find it,” the resident said. Another board member and council members said the current fee schedule may be priced above comparable nearby towns — Smithfield and Pine Level were cited — and suggested the council consider sponsorships, scholarships or other subsidy programs to lower barriers for local families.

Board members asked staff for a cost breakdown of athletics and a proposed schedule for registration communications and signage. A staff member said they were working to document schedules and flyers for a private partner, Carolina Thunder, and acknowledged that some Sunday training sessions and early sessions had already occurred without wide public notice. The board asked staff to provide a clearer schedule and to share the information publicly so families can plan.

Members expressed frustration about staff turnover and process changes that reduced the board’s ability to advise. One long‑serving board member said she had seen four directors in four years and that the board was “getting really, really, really frustrated” at not receiving requested information. The board also said a recent change to meet quarterly rather than monthly made it harder to respond to rapidly moving projects.

On motions related to routine business, the board voted to table the 2025–26 budget discussion until the next meeting after a motion to postpone carried on a voice vote. The board also approved keeping the current board elections configuration in place.

Council members and staff urged the board to continue providing recommendations and said staff want to work with the advisory board on fee and program design, but also noted that the council ultimately sets fees and must decide whether to subsidize programming.

The board requested the following follow-ups: a detailed athletics cost breakdown, standard operating procedures for registration outreach, a public schedule for Carolina Thunder trainings and an update on tennis courts at the next meeting.