TAMPA, Fla. — A recent survey of parks and recreation officials nationwide reveals that more than 80% say they have trouble finding volunteer coaches. Youth organizations in Tampa say they, too, see those challenges.

What You Need To Know

A nationwide survey found 82% of youth league leaders say they’re struggling to find volunteers

Leagues in Hillsborough County say they see those issues too, especially because of the extensive Level 2 background check required by Florida law

 A soccer league in primarily Hispanic Wimauma says recent immigration enforcement has also kept many families away

Coaching is second nature for Martin Bocanegra. He has been involved with Wimauma’s Rural Youth Soccer Association for nine years, far beyond his daughter’s time on the pitch.

“The biggest thing for me is giving back what was given to me,” Bocanegra said. “My coach did the same thing. My coach would pick us up and drop us off after every practice, he would take us out to eat. And everything was voluntary, no payment whatsoever.”

But that commitment is becoming rarer.

An October 2024 survey from the National Recreation and Park Association found that 82% of youth league leaders surveyed say they have difficulties finding volunteers. 

It’s a challenge not new to Steve Collins.

“Last spring, which is our big season, we had to close down concessions, I think twice. Because we didn’t have enough volunteers and leads to work concessions,” said Collins.

Collins leads 600 strong in Lithia’s Fish Hawk Youth Baseball. He, too, says it’s tough finding coaches, or really any volunteers.

That’s why he requires every family to either volunteer eight hours per season, working concessions or cleaning trash, or pay a penalty of $200

Collins says typically between 40 and 50 percent of his parents pay instead of pitching in.

Mikah Collins, no relation to Steve, organizes all of Hillsborough County’s youth leagues.

“When you don’t have volunteers to run a volunteer-based organization, it’s a little bit hard to serve the community,” Mikah Collins said.

From the time commitment to the training and the extensive “Level 2 background check” required by Florida law, Mikah Collins says there’ are a lot of reasons for this volunteer deficit.

“Back in the day, if you wanted to volunteer or help out your local little league, you just walk out onto the field, let the president of the organization know, ‘Hey I’m here to volunteer.’ Cool, go train those kids, you know? Nowadays, it’s a bit different, there’s a lot of training required,” said Mikah Collins.

In Wimauma, they’re seeing those issues too. But added to that, Bocanegra says the largely Hispanic community is also hesitant because of recent immigration enforcement.

It’s already tough finding volunteers, and he says, now they’re losing families

“For our competitive, we usually have four-seven teams, and now we’re down to one team. So, I would say that we lost about 100 kids. It is sad because, at one time, this park from the grass to the turf was packed nonstop. It was like Friday Night Lights, a high school football game,” said Bocanegra.  

Ever-positive, Bocanegra is sure his league will continue — one way or another. 

As are all the leagues Spectrum News talked to. One consensus: the job gets tougher each year and the pay, or lack thereof, stays the same.

“When I was a kid playing baseball, I never remember an issue like this,” said Steve Collins.

“For me, I get off of work, I come straight here. And I volunteer as much as I can. I could be at home resting with my family, but I choose to give back,” Bocanegra said.