NATCHEZ — Registration for the Natchez Youth Soccer Association has kicked off and will continue until Aug. 8. Registration is $50.

The league itself will begin after Labor Day and will though Nov. 2.

The league consists of children ages 4-19 and will play the bulk of its games on Sundays.

Paul Burns, who is the vice president of the league as well as the assistant boys soccer coach at Cathedral School, said last year the league had four divisions, under-6, under-9, under-12 and under-19. The number of kids participating in the league will determine the number of divisions.

Last year the league had 220 players and typically averages between 210 and 240 players total.

Not only is the league looking for players, but Burns said they’re always looking for coaches and referees as well.

“We’re always looking for parents to help out,” Burns said. “If they have an interest in soccer, we’ll take them.”

Burns went on to say he doesn’t require coaches to be soccer gurus, as long as they’re interested in being involved.

Burns credits the league for helping local high schools kick start their soccer programs.

“We’ve kind of been a feeder system for the high school teams,” Burns said of Trinity, Cathedral and Natchez High.

All three schools had co-ed soccer teams to begin with, and as the teams grew they were able to form separate boys and girls teams.

“We feel like we’ve helped the area over the years by getting the kids involved,” Burns said.

Burns said several kids who have played in the league over the years have gone onto earn soccer scholarships, including Natchez High standout Ross Smith, who will be playing at Copiah-Lincoln.

One draw to playing soccer, Burns said, is that the league is structured so that kids are all able to participate.

“It’s not so big that kids get lost,” Burns said. “It gives them a good chance to get exercise. They’re not out there picking up daisies.”

The league is structured so that at the younger ages, there are fewer players on the field at a time and the fields are smaller. As they grow, so does the size of their team as well as the field itself.