A total of 57 players are taking part in the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County’s soccer program, which held its second day of games Thursday at Concordia College Alabama.

All of the YMCA’s six teams played games at the same time on Concordia’s field, with the contests separated by cones.

“They are learning and improving, which is good,” said Stacey Buchannan, who is overseeing the program for the YMCA.

“Everybody is getting to play, no matter what.”

This is the first year that the YMCA has held its games at Concordia, but the move has really paid off.

Due to the larger field, all three games can be played at the same time, and there’s plenty of room for parents to sit or set up chairs.

“You have bleachers to sit on and not only that but we can have all three age groups play at the same time instead of having to wait on one game to get done,” Buchannan said.

There are three age groups in the YMCA’s soccer program — 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

Zyshawn James helps coach the Orange team, which consists of 6-8 year-olds. This is his first year coaching soccer at the YMCA and he’s never played soccer himself. He said he’s learning the game while he’s teaching his team how to play.

“I just love to see them smile and have fun,” James said.

The YMCA holds its games on Thursdays at Concordia each week.

Although registration for soccer is closed, registration for basketball will start next week. The YMCA will also have cheerleading this year.

For more information, call the YMCA at 874-9622.