Demopolis Elite launching recreational soccer league

The Demopolis Elite soccer program has spent the summer training youth players at its free weekly clinics. Now, the city’s newest soccer organization is ready to open its first season of play.

The league will operate a recreational league with two seasons of play; one beginning in August and running into December while the spring season will begin in April.

The structure will allow the league to accommodate avid soccer players who want to be involved in the sport year-round as well as those who are only able to commit to one season annually. Players can register now for one season or for the entire year.

The league will open with an intra-city style format in which players be divided into teams and play competitively against their neighbors and classmates. Ultimately, Demopolis Elite aims to field teams that will compete against counterparts from other cities.

Demopolis Elite will use the five collegiate coaches affiliated with its organization to help train not only players, but also parents who desire to be coaches in the league or just want to learn more about the game. The Demopolis Elite coaching clinic will be Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon.

As much as Demopolis Elite organizers are excited about a new brand of soccer, the organization adopted its motto “More than soccer” for a reason.

“We want to help combat the problem of childhood illnesses associated with sedentary lifestyle like childhood obesity, asthma, hypertension and diabetes,” Dr. Ronnie Chu, soccer enthusiast and one of the founders of the organization, said. “This cause is supported by a number of doctors here in Demopolis and consultants from out of town.”

With that cause in view, Demopolis Elite has secured partnerships with local businesses such as Workaholics as well as a number of local doctors.

“Eventually Demopolis Elite wants to secure some grants and be able to teach wellness, fitness via the game of soccer, provide scholarships for players and also have nutritionists and dietitians to help children with their health problems,” Chu said. “Elite also wants to involve the whole surrounding area including Linden, Faunsdale, south Marengo county and the neighboring cities of Greensboro and Livingston.”

Registration for Demopolis Elite’s recreational league is open now at Chu Clinic, LuLu’s Coffee and Hibbett Sports.

Demopolis Elite is slated to hold its Soccer Fest Saturday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.