Athletes and officials from Richmond SOL attended the Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday to celebrate the success of the city’s first youth volleyball program. Since launching only last year, the club’s premier team saw a rapid rise in competitiveness at tournaments. Team officials say they moved from 46th place to 11th before just last week reaching 2nd place out of 60 Bay Area clubs.
“Can you imagine, with a little bit of heart, with a lot of love and the dedication of these coaches, what we can bring to Richmond,” said Diego Garcia, president of Richmond SOL and a teacher at Richmond High School. Garcia also credited the achievement to the commitment of players and parents.
In January, the Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) recognized the club’s success. The JVA noted that Garcia founded the program to address a lack of affordable sports options for local youth. Garcia also founded the Richmond SOL youth soccer program in 2003 for the same purpose. That organization now serves more than 350 families and includes a semi-professional team in the National Soccer League.
The volleyball program’s director, Lucy, told the council that the program’s success has already attracted interest from players from other programs. Arely Alvarado, a youth U16 player, described the club as a family that provides mentorship and keeps youth focused on positive goals.
Richmond SOL officials called for continued city support and invited the community to an awards ceremony on May 12 at the Civic Center.
“This event is going to celebrate the hard work and dedication and achievements of the youth, not only in soccer, but in volleyball,” said Treasurer Fermín Salazar.
Salazar was born and raised in Richmond and has been involved in Richmond SOL for close to 20 years.
“I promise, if you support these programs, they work,” he told City Council. “This inspired me to make sure I contribute back now as an adult.”
Salazar added, “Please support the youth programs, and I guarantee it’ll pay off for the city of Richmond.”
