July 7, 2026
City Council
DATE: July 7, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Proclamation Honoring Richmond SOL’s Founder,
Volunteer Coaches, Student Athletes, and Families
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Richmond Sports Outreach Leadership (SOL) was
established in 2003 by Diego Garcia, a devoted father
whose passion for coaching his own sons in the beautiful game of soccer ignited a calling greater than himself: to build a program where every child in Richmond could
experience the same joy, discipline, and sense of
belonging that sport had given his own family.
Richmond SOL has grown into a thriving nonprofit
organization that serves nearly 400 families annually
across the City of Richmond, providing youth ages 4
through 18 with access to competitive and recreational
athletic programs, positive opportunities, and pathways to success both on and off the field.
Richmond SOL celebrated its 23rd anniversary of
community service with a special recognition event at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, attended by more than
2,000 community members, where over 450 youth
athletes received medals and recognition for their
dedication, hard work, and achievements throughout the
year.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 7, 2026
Richmond SOL proudly completed an outstanding 2026
soccer and volleyball season, with two soccer teams
advancing to the NorCal State Cup Finals and competing
in the highest Premier Division, a rare and remarkable
achievement for any club organization.
This proclamation honors Richmond SOL, its founder,
volunteer coaches, student athletes, and families.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION honoring Richmond Sports Outreach
Leadership (SOL), its founder, volunteer coaches,
student athletes, and families for creating a program
across the City of Richmond that provides youth ages 4
through 18 with access to competitive and recreational
athletic programs, positive opportunities, and pathways to success both on and off the field, while generating
community pride and strengthening the fabric of our great City - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
DISCUSSION:
Richmond Sports, Outreach, Leadership (SOL) was established in 2003 by Diego Garcia, a devoted father whose passion for coaching his own sons in the beautiful game of soccer ignited a calling greater than himself — to build a program where every child in Richmond could experience the same joy, discipline, and sense of belonging that sport had given his own family.
Richmond SOL has grown into a thriving nonprofit organization that serves nearly 400 families annually across the City of Richmond, providing youth ages 4 through 18 with access to competitive and recreational athletic programs, positive opportunities, and pathways to success both on and off the field.
Richmond SOL celebrated its 23rd Anniversary of community service with a special recognition event at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, attended by more than 2,000 community members, where over 450 youth athletes received medals and recognition for their dedication, hard work, and achievements throughout the year.
Richmond SOL proudly completed an outstanding 2026 Soccer and Volleyball season, with two soccer teams advancing to the NorCal State Cup Finals and competing in the highest Premier Division — a rare and remarkable achievement for any club organization.
This proclamation honors Richmond SOL, its founder, volunteer coaches, student athletes, and families for creating a program across the City of Richmond that provides youth ages 4 through 18 with access to competitive and recreational athletic programs, positive opportunities, and pathways to success both on and off the field; amplifies the values of perseverance and teamwork; creates experiences of joy and a sense of
July 7, 2026
belonging for the students and parents of Richmond SOL; generates community pride; and strengthens the fabric of our great City.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation