By Larry Stover

The Selma Times-Journal

 

Soccer, the world’s most popular sport continues to grow at the youth level in the United States. Once again, Valley Grande Baptist church is organizing their Upward Soccer program. It is all about introducing “young athletes to the game at an early age and quickly enabling them to build their skills, speed, strength, and stamina. The vision of Upward Soccer is to see players develop mentally, athletically, spiritually and socially, into total athletes who excel both on and off the field.”

Valley Grande Baptist church is located at the corner of Alabama Highway 22 and Dallas County Road 16, across from Valley Grande Pharmacy. Registration forms are available from the church as well as other churches and businesses throughout the Valley Grande area.

Forms and registration fees may be dropped off at the church office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday.

Early registration cost per child is $46. After Friday, Aug. 22, the cost will be $56. The cost will include their jersey. Shorts/ pants and cleats are the responsibility of the parents.

Upward Soccer is for boys and girls age 4 though those entering the sixth grade. If you have questions about age level participation, please call the church office.

Evaluations will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Soccer field next to Valley Grande Baptist church. They will take place from 5-7 p.m. both days. Everyone who participates must attend one of the evaluation sessions.

The practice and game schedule are as follows. The first practice will be Monday, Sept. 8. The first games will be played on Saturday, Sept. 20. Games are played every Saturday morning until Oct. 25. Their end of season Awards Celebration will take place on Monday, Oct. 27.

There are many aspects of Upward Soccer that are very appealing to parents. There is one practice and one game per week.

After evaluations teams are chosen according to the score they make in that process, with all teams having a balance of talent. A unique substitution system that regularly rotates players in and out of the games ensures that every child plays in every game.

Age appropriate character and skills are developed throughout the season.

I enjoy being a part of a community that cares about children. Especially, it is great to be involved in the spiritual community that cares for the holistic development of children as well.

Personally, besides the games and seeing so many friends from the community, I always look forward to the homemade cinnamon rolls at the Pepsi wagon. It makes Life “Simply Beautiful.”