The Mississippi heat may not have yet died down, but the time for fall sports is fast approaching.

Both the Pearl River Soccer Club and Poplarville Athletic Association are hosting registration events this upcoming weekend.

There are a variety of organizations opening their doors to interested athletes, and the community has rallied behind those programs.

PRSC has been steadily increasing the number of members, and President Larry Davis said that he’s

estimating another 10-15% increase in members for this upcoming season.

“We’re trying to facilitate people coming in, and the city is working with us, too,” Davis said.

There have been a variety of improvements made to the facilities, and Davis said that there is currently a project in progress to construct a fence in front of the main parking lot.

“We’re offering people opportunity to buy into it and put a plaque on the column they choose,” Davis said.

“We’re trying to get them involved, and most of that has been taken care of.”

No matter the sport, Davis said it’s important that children have the opportunity to be involved in athletics programs within the community.

“Overall, I think in this day and age you have to have kids involved in something outside of sitting on a couch and playing a video game,” Davis said. “The physical education of football, soccer, (etc.) is not only good for you physically, but also mentally.”

The club will have its registration event at the Friendship Park soccer concession stand on August 3 and August 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration fees and other necessary information can be found on the club’s website www.prscms.org.

PAA has been doing registration for their cheer and football programs for the past couple of weeks, and will continue to do so this upcoming weekend. On August 3 they will have registration from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on August 4 registration will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The club is hoping to increase the number of athletes that participate this upcoming year.

They have changed the football league, so that children are no longer forced to play in older age groups because of their weight.

“We had a 7 year-old who had to play with the nine and ten year olds, but that won’t have to happen anymore,” Secretary Martin Walker said.Walker said the community members who give their time to the organization help with getting the leagues together.

“It’s a solid group that we have that follows us around from sport to sport, which is a good thing,” Walker said.

Not only does the community benefit from having the organization to set up these leagues, but the children who participate gain from the opportunities as well.

“Getting out there helps them build new friendships,” Walker said.

“They get really close during season, and everybody looks out for everybody.”

The club is looking for more volunteers to be coaches, and fulfill other necessary roles within the organization.

For the price of registration, more information about volunteering, or other available programs community members can visit the organization’s website www.poplarvilleathletics.com.