Youth soccer, basketball and rugby organizers ask Green parks board for more field access, scheduling and funding help

John Pearsall, a longtime volunteer and past president of the Green Township Soccer Association, told the City of Green Parks & Recreation Board on March 5 that the soccer program has about 650 participants and is organized as the Green Township Soccer Association, a 501(c)(3). Pearsall said the program runs adaptive, recreational and travel divisions, supplies its own equipment and pays roughly $31,000 a year in indoor practice rental fees; he asked the board for continued operation and maintenance support and better scheduling at the city's new core facility to reduce those rental costs.

"We buy them all," Pearsall said of goals and equipment, estimating about $47,000 in match-configured gear and noting ongoing replacement costs for nets and other supplies. He described recurring conflicts at Spring Hill from unauthorized users and said the association has asked permitted users to move when conflicts arise; as a last resort the group has called the sheriff, he said.

Jeff Lewis, former president of the Green Youth Basketball Association, and Eric Chonaki, the boys and girls rec program director, gave the board a separate update on basketball participation and scheduling. Lewis said enrollment has bounced since the pandemic but is strong this season: "This past year, the 24-25 season was the biggest I've seen," he said, citing recent season totals of 361 (2022), 335 (2023) and 381 players this year. He described a large annual travel tournament that drew as many as 100 teams and asked the board to help secure consistent gym time, which Lewis said would reduce the need to play some games outside the Green area.

Valerie, speaking for Parks & Recreation staff, provided a brief update for a small rugby program that began about four years ago as a joint Green/Lake effort; she said the program has about 22 kids and would like preseason use of the core facility but prefers outdoor practice when possible.

Board members thanked the presenters and said the updates will help the newer board members understand program needs. The meeting record shows the board did not take immediate action on specific funding requests during this session; presenters were invited to follow up with staff about scheduling and facility availability.

What happens next: staff and board members will consider scheduling options for the core facility and continue conversations about reducing rental burdens for youth organizations and resolving unauthorized field use.