Fort Dale Academy will have a new opponent come next season.

Northside Methodist Academy, which has competed in the Alabama Christian Education Athletic Association for the past 20 years, is joining the Alabama Independent School Association, effective this coming academic year.

Northside Methodist’s athletics program was approved as a new member into the AISA Wednesday afternoon by the AISA Athletic Board. The AISA State Board has to give final approval later in the summer, though it is expected to be a formality.

The Knights will compete in Class AAA, Region 1, Area 1 with Fort Dale, Monroe Academy, Hooper Academy and Pike Liberal Arts in boys’ and girls’ basketball, baseball and softball, but will compete in Class A in volleyball.

NMA plans to compete in 8-man football in 2012, a sport not recognized by the AISA, but potentially could add normal 11-man football and compete in the AISA down the road.

During the past 15 years, NMA has won more than 40 ACEAA state titles, including championships in volleyball, girls’ junior varsity volleyball, softball and baseball.