By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The YMCA of Chilton County will kick off this year’s fall soccer on Saturday, Sept. 17. The day will begin with a parade of players at 8:30 a.m. and games will begin at 9 a.m.

The YMCA has 13 soccer teams made up of 95 children. All 95 children will play this Saturday, according to Director Lori Patterson.

“We hope to have them all there, and their families,” said Patterson.

Josh Elmore is the head of the soccer league at the YMCA, which operates under the American Youth Soccer Organization – the largest national youth soccer organization in the U.S. The AYSO promotes a fun, family-focused environment where there are balanced teams and everyone plays. The league is entirely run by volunteers, according to Elmore.

“This is more players than we’ve ever had in the fall,” said Elmore. “It’s a great group.”

Elmore said working with the City of Clanton and the Parks and Recreation Department has been wonderful. The league will be able to host teams from the Wetumpka YMCA a few times this year, giving players a chance to match up against new opponents on their home turf.

Also happening on Saturday is a creative self-defense class by Impact Martial Arts. The class is centered on a Filipino fighting style called Kali that involves extensive weapon skills and emphasizes improvised self-defense.

Patterson said many from the law enforcement community have been to this class in the past and enjoyed it. The cost is $50, and the class runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information about either of the day’s activities, go to the YMCA of Chilton County’s Facebook Page.