REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of a Grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in an Amount up to $32,338.50 to Reimburse Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for Eligible Scholarships from the 2026 Soccer Season
BACKGROUND
The Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program (Program) was established in 2015 in memory of Santa Clara resident and youth sports enthusiast Wade Brummal. Developed through an extensive outreach process (Attachment 1), the Program promotes youth participation in organized sports by providing scholarships to Santa Clara youth who may not otherwise have the means to participate. The Program reimburses qualified youth sports organizations for eligible expenses, including athlete scholarships, uniforms, travel and competition fees, sports equipment, and other related costs. It is administered in accordance with the Wade Brummal Scholarship Program and Grant Guidelines (Attachment 2), which were most recently updated in March 2025.
Overview of Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program
Any nonprofit Youth Sports Organizations (YSO) that receives a permit to operate in a City of Santa Clara facility and allows non-resident athlete participation is required to contribute to the Program. Participating in YSOs must submit participant rosters to the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) annually in April. For each non-resident athlete listed, the YSO must contribute $25 per sport. This fee will increase to $35 in FY 2026/27 and by an additional $10 to $45 in FY 2027/28.
In return, eligible YSOs may apply for grant Programing from the Program to assist Santa Clara youth who need financial support. The organization must be a Santa Clara based, non-profit youth sports organization serving youth under the age of 18. The YSO must be current in its contribution to the Program, and comply with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in schools that receive federal Programing including in their athletics programs.
Priorities of Programing
The Guidelines establish the following priorities when considering grant requests:
1. Participant scholarships:
a. Reimbursement of a YSO direct financial assistance to support disadvantaged athletes in the sport. Individuals must be qualifying residents of the City of Santa Clara
b. The YSO may qualify the athlete for a scholarship based on participation in a government support program (e.g., WIC, SNAP, reduced utility programs, or free and reduced-price lunch) or documented financial hardship.
2. Sport equipment and related expense:
a. Competition or tournament fees, uniforms, training equipment, or other expenses that enable the athlete to play.
b. Organizational expenses related to volunteer coach certifications or fingerprinting.
Applications up to $2,500 may be approved by the Department. Applications exceeding $2,500 are presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission for recommendation of approval. A request for Programs may be made by any organization no more than one time per year.
In season 25/26, seven (7) YSO’s contributed $20,750 towards the Wade Brummal Scholarship Program (Attachment 3).
In the 2024/25 season, Santa Clara Youth Soccer League (SCYSL) was awarded $42,044 in scholarship reimbursement. SCYSL contributed $14,825 to the Program for 2025/26. SCYSL rosters and scholarship request were received by the required deadline, however the application page was obtained in August (as seen by the signature and date provided on the document).
Staff invited all seven organizations to submit for a grant; three organizations applied for a grant for 2025/26 season.
1. Westside Little League was approved a grant at the administrative level in the amount of $1,950 in July for player scholarships.
2. Police Activities League was approved a grant by the Parks & Recreation Commission in September in the amount of $3,997.50 for player scholarships.
3. Santa Clara Youth Soccer League applied for a grant in the amount of $39,333 which is before the Commission today.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this report is to present the grant request from SCYSL for reimbursement of eligible player scholarships that were allocated during the 25/26 soccer season. SCYSL submitted scholarship expenses totaling $39,333 (Attachment 4) for 55 players. Under the Program’s guidelines, grant requests exceeding $2,500 are subject to the review and approval from the Parks & Recreation Commission.
SCYSL is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 with a mission to provide a high-quality soccer experience for all players in the league. The league serves approximately 1,550 participants across its competitive and recreational leagues. Its primary purpose is to develop, promote, and administer youth soccer while offering a healthy recreational outlet that fosters sportsmanship and discipline for youth ages six through eighteen.
Based on the Department’s review, all 55 players met the Program’s Santa Clara residency requirement. The eligible scholarship expenses are summarized as follows:
|
Number of Resident Players |
Division |
Scholarship Award (per player) |
Total Scholarship Award |
|
16 |
Competitive |
$975 |
$15,600 |
|
17 |
Competitive |
$1,025 |
$17,425 |
|
2 |
Competitive |
$1,185 |
$2,370 |
|
1 |
Competitive |
$488 |
$488 |
|
10 |
Recreational |
$155 |
$1,550 |
|
5 |
Recreational |
$130 |
$650 |
|
3 |
Recreational |
$330 |
$990 |
|
1 |
Recreational |
$260 |
$260 |
|
Grand Total: 55 |
|
|
$39,333 |
Department staff have reviewed the grant application and determined that it aligns with the Program’s priorities and meets all eligibility requirements. Although SCYSL submitted $39,333 in eligible scholarship expenses. The available program funds to meet this request are limited to $32,338.50. Staff recommend that the Parks & Recreation Commission approve a grant award up to or in the amount of $32,338.50. During the 2026 season, SCYSL contributed $14,825 towards the Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 153778(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current available Programing in the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Program is $32,38.50.
The SCYSL scholarship grant request is $39,333. Due to limited available Programing, staff recommends an award up to, or in the amount of $32,338.50, subject to the Commission’s determination.
Approval of the SCYSL scholarship would fully expend the current Programing available in the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program. However, the Program may receive additional Programing throughout the fiscal year through program fees, interest earnings, and donations, which would increase the amount available for future scholarship grants.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve a Grant in the Amount up to $32,338.50 from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Program to Reimburse the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for Eligible Scholarships Related to the 2025/26 Soccer Season.
2. Approve a Grant in the Amount of $14,825, from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Program to Reimburse the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for Eligible Scholarships Related to the 2025/26 Soccer Season as this is the amount that SCYSL has contributed to the Program this year.
3. Other.
Staff
Prepared by: Angelique Wilson, Recreation Supervisor
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Item 13, October 27, 2015 City Council Report
2. Item 6, March 11, 2025 City Council Report with WB Guidelines
3. 2026 Wade Brummal Scholarship Program Payment Log
4. SCYSL Wade Brummal Application