DEMOPOLIS–

The Demopolis youth soccer league celebrates the end of its registration period and the start of its season this Saturday with the annual (again) 3-v-3 “SoccerFest” at the SportPlex.

Starting with registration at 8 a.m. and first kick-off at 8:30, SoccerFest will pit teams of three players each against each other in a series of 15-minute games to determine a tournament winner. Tournament participation is free of charge and players will be separated into one of six different age groups ranging from under-8 to under-18.

Demopolis youth soccer official Dr. Peter Keen says any and all players who would like to participate are welcome, even if they don’t know which players they’ll be playing alongside.

“They’ll be able to pick their own teams or, if they don’t have a team,” Keen says, “we’ll find you one.”

The tournament will be the second SoccerFest held after it was re-started in 2004 after a several-year layoff. Keen says last year’s version was a smashing success and he’s hoping for more of the same this year.

“Last year we had a lot of fun. The kids had a real good time. I hope the heat doesn’t scare too many of them away,” he says.

While the tournament is fun, it also gives the upcoming season some momentum and gives participating coaches some information about the players they’ll be working with this fall.

“It gives the season a good kick-off,” Keen says. “It also gives the coaches a chance to watch the players, to give them a little bit of a view of them before they pick their teams.”

The runner-up in each age division will be awarded medals with trophies going to the winners.

Saturday’s event also marks the last day of registration for the 2005 Demopolis youth soccer season. Registration information and applications will be available at the SportPlex.