Youth football, soccer going well

By Joe Crine (Contact) | Post-Searchlight

Published Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Bainbridge Leisure Services Department and Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA youth football programs and YMCA youth soccer programs are in full swing.

Football teams are divided into four age groups. Five- and 6-year-olds play flag football, and 7- and 8-year-olds, 9 and 10-year-olds and 11- and 12-year-olds play tackle football.

There are about 220 youngsters in the fall soccer program. They are divided into five age groups, 3- 4- and 5-year-olds, 6- and 7-year-olds, 8- and 9-year-olds, 10- and 11-year-olds and 12- and 13-year-olds

Flag football games are played on Monday nights at the Bill Reynolds Sports Park softball fields and tackle football games are played Saturdays at the old West Bainbridge Middle School field and Mondays and Tuesdays in Camilla and Pelham.

"The soccer kids learn some fundamentals of the game including dribbling, passing, heading and shooting," YMCA CEO Ken Bailey said. "We have some dedicated volunteer coaches who really do a good job in our football and soccer programs."

All soccer games are played Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the YMCA field. The older 8- to 13-year-old age groups may play in Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) district and state tournaments in November.

"Our youth football and soccer programs teach youngsters strong Christian values like sportsmanship, character and fair play," Bailey said.