By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Reporter

NORTH SHELBY- Youth soccer is something of a rite of passage we all must undertake when starting our athletic careers. The Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon youth soccer games are a staple of many communities. Asbury United Methodist Church in north Shelby County is once again ready to start its spring soccer league for all interested 4-7-year-olds.

The church, which has been responsible for sustaining the league, is moving into its 10^th year according to Ellen Dean, Director of Recreation at Asbury.

“The purpose of this league is to show kids the love of Jesus Christ,” said Dean. “The soccer ball is the tool we use to show that love.”

The league, Dean said, is less about the game and more about acclimating children to being on a team.

“There are not a lot of rules,” Dean said. “We don’t keep score at that age. We just want them to be excited to be a part of a team. We want them to learn about enthusiasm and commitment.”

The league, which contains 16 teams with 10 kids per team, is currently holding sign-ups for participation in the spring. The sign-up cost is $78 before Feb. 23, after which the cost will be $88. Practices will begin the week of March 16.

The league is a good mixture of children from within the Asbury church community and the Shelby County community as well, according to Dean.

“The league is an outreach for the church,” Dean said. “We have a topic for the whole season. Every game the coaches will do a little devotional with their teams and pray before the game.”

Dean went on to express the league is co-ed and open for all who would like to participate, and games are held on Sunday afternoons after church.

To sign up visit Asburyonline.org/soccer/.