Soccer season at the Selma-Dallas County YMCA is almost set to begin.

Registration for the 2014 season is underway and will run through Aug. 25. The program is for children ages 4-18 and is free for members. The cost for members is $10.

“It is a good way for kids to stay active and meet more friends,” said Tonya Gaskins, program director at the YMCA. “They get to experience something new and learn new skills. It may be something they want to do when they get older, but they won’t know until they try it.”

In past years, Gaskins said around 20 players signed up for soccer at the YMCA, but she is hoping this year a much larger group will register.

“We know it is going to be better than it has ever been,” said YMCA CEO Ann Murray. “We are trying to build the YMCA back and soccer is a big part of that.”

Jay Minter, who has been coaching soccer at the YMCA for 12 years and also serves as the head boys’ soccer coach at Morgan Academy, said the soccer program is a great way to introduce young players to a new sport.

“It’s great physical fitness, there’s no doubt about that,” Minter said. “It’s a great atmosphere that we have at the YMCA to promote participation, promote learning and promote good values and it’s a really good group of coaches.”

Minter said once most kids try soccer they typically fall in love with it.

“It’s a sport that everybody that seems to play and truly gives it a chance really loves,” Minter said. “I’ve rarely had a kid play for more than a few years that turns around and just quits.”

Evaluation days will be Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 28. There will also be a meet and greet for parents on Aug. 28.

“Many times when you have a little child and they are starting to play a sport for the first time, you really need some information and you really want to meet the coach ahead of time,” Murray said.

The first practices of the season will be held Tuesday, Sept. 2 and the first games will be Saturday, Sept. 20. Games will be held at the old softball complex.