DEMOPOLIS – Around 80 youths from Perry and Sumter Counties are getting an opportunity that is offered to potential UA recruits.

They are getting the opportunity for a first-hand look at the inner-workings of the University of Alabama’s Lady Crimson Tide soccer program.

“This festival is another piece in the tremendous partnership that has been created between Black Belt residents, the Alabama Youth Soccer Association and the Governor’s Black Belt Action Commission,” said Chad Nichols, project manager for the BBAC’s Health Committee. “It’s great to see so many children excited about this activity and I look forward to working with AYSA to provide more youth soccer activities this fall.”

The children will leave on buses from Livingston and then from Perry County on their way to Tuscaloosa.

“We have a bus load of 45 children” said Sister Marie Carter, executive director of Praying in the Spirit Ministries in Livingston. “We have 20 more than want to go, but don’t’ have room on the bus. I am impressed with the turnout from here, but I’m not surprised.”

Carter’s Praying in the Spirit Ministries partnered with the BBAC and the AYSA earlier in the summer to host a soccer camp and that helped generate a growing interest among youth in the area.

“Ever since we had the clinic, the kids are asking me about the next thing we’ve got planned,” said Carter.

In Marion and Perry County, some seats are still available for the trip.

The event is slated to depart from Livingston and Marion, respectively, at noon and then travel to Tuscaloosa. When they arrive at the Capstone, the children will have the opportunity to meet the Lady Tide futballers and participate in a soccer clinic held at UA’s women’s soccer field.

Following the clinic, the children and chaperons will have the opportunity to meet the coaching staff and players before taking a dinner break.

The day will be capped off with the youth getting the opportunity to see the Lady Tide take on the Lady Bulldogs of Samford University.

“We are committed to developing youth soccer in the Black Belt and other under-served areas in our state,” said Scott Spencer. “The BBAC has been vital in working directly with the local communities in the Black Belt to assist in planning, organizing and promoting this event.”

Despite the bus leaving out of Livingston being full, there are still seats available on the bus that will be departing from Marion. For more information, please contact the BBAC’s Health Committee at 334-353-0442.

Sister Marie Carter, executive director of Praying in the Spirit Ministries in Livingston:

45 children

I am impressed, but not surprised. We have been planning athletic events for them, we’ve got six weeks scheduled beginning Sept. 28.

I have

I’m hoping that the children will be so impressed

That they don’t have to go through academics, that they can go through other means like soccer. Which they have never played but were impressed after the last clinic that we had. They are excited.

All of the children in my center are coming and then six children from greene county are coming and I didn’t want to not include them.

They are definitely interested.