The changes in the city of Troy athletic world don’t begin and end at the local high schools.

The Troy Parks and Recreation Department is also in the middle of reworking its fall sports programs in order to allow more children to participate.

The recreation department is adding two divisions of football. Children ages seven and eight will participate in full contact, full pads games against other teams in the city.

“Some parents have come to me and asked ‘What can we do for the younger kids,” said David Dickey, Assistant Director and Youth Sports Coordinator. “We are going to try get enough numbers, so that we can have four-team league this season and see where it goes from there.”

For the younger group, ages five and under, Troy Parks and Recreation will offer a flag-football league. The league will attempt to get younger children involved in the game of football without the fear of injury.

Mike Dean, Charles Henderson High School head football coach, has also be instrumental in helping to build the local rec league football numbers.

“Coach Dean sees the youth leagues as a ‘feeder system’ to the local high schools,” said Dickey. “Goshen, Zion Chapel and Brundidge all have their own football leagues, so the kids playing youth football now will be playing for the high schools in the future.”

The two age divisions already playing football, 9-10 and 11-12, will continue to participate in the Dale County Youth Football Association. The teams will play a jamboree, regular season and playoffs culminating in a Super Bowl championship game.

In addition to football, the Troy Parks and Recreation Department will offer soccer and cheerleading.

Soccer will be offered for children ages 4-18, and cheerleading for girls grades 1-6.

“We will still offer soccer for the kids that want to play,” said Dickey. “We are just giving the children that don’t want to play soccer more options.”

Parents can register their children any day until August 20, between 8 a.m. – 7p.m. Dickey said that registering by the final day of registration is key.

“School is pushed back a week this year,” said Dickey. “We need to get the ball rolling on our stuff, and get ready for a good year.”