By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The YMCA of Selma-Dallas County will soon play their youth soccer matches in the Y’s backyard.

The YMCA has received a $25,000 grant with the help of the American Beverage Association and Alabama Beverage Association to fund construction of a youth soccer field on its campus.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony and check presentation Thursday at 11 a.m. at the YMCA.

“We were thrilled to receive a grant from the American Beverage Association and the Alabama Beverage Association which will go toward our new and much needed soccer field, “ said YMCA CEO Ann Murray.

The funds were awarded under a grant program of the American Beverage Association. The Alabama Beverage Association matched the national grant for a total of $25,000.

“The YMCA plays an integral role in promoting the health and wellness of the Selma community, and the beverage industry is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live, work and play,” said Alabama Beverage Association Executive Director Virginia Bear Banister.

The YMCA’s youth soccer program currently plays its games at the City Softball Complex. Murray said the new field will provide a good opportunity for the kids to be able to play soccer at the YMCA.

“It’s going to be great for people to be close here and be able to play on an actual field,” Murray said.

Murray said the new field is going to be on the far right side of the building and run parallel to the playground. The soccer field will be the home to youth games, but will also be open to members and guests.

Murray is hopeful the field will be completed sometime in the spring so that it can serve as the home field for the YMCA’s first spring youth soccer league. Murray said there has been a growing increase in youth soccer, and the YMCA’s new field will only help the popularity of youth soccer in Selma grow.

“The YMCA strives to offer a full circle of services and opportunities for all, and this new soccer field will allow us to be even more of a “one-stop” destination for families and their physical activities,” Murray said.

The YMCA’s fall youth soccer league held its end of the season pizza party and received medals Tuesday. Some kids will travel to Demopolis for their final game of the fall youth season Thursday.