What is Upward Basketball & Cheerleading?

Upward Basketball & Cheerleading are programs designed to give children (both boys & girls) and their families a positive sports experience by partnering with local churches to build character, self esteem and salvation. The season will incorporate practice, games, devotions, and a celebration event at the end of the season.

The emphasis is on skill development and spiritual growth. Upward is a national organization and you can learn more about them at their website, www.upward.org.

Upward bases its philosophy on the parable of the sower and the seed in Mark, chapter 4. All season we cast seeds, the good news ofJesus Christ. Prayer partners are the fertilizer that enriches the ground on which the seed is cast.

Registration

Registration begins Monday, November 2 for all players. Simply download this form and drop it off at the church this week along with your registration fee. This is important because we are limiting the number of players in each division this year to the maximums we hit last season. In addition, any returning family that sends in their forms this week will be invited to a non-advertised evaluation so you will not have to wait in line for your child to be evaluated. You will receive a special email with the time and date of this special evaluation next week.

Registration Cost

The registration cost will again cover the cost of your child's uniform, shorts and all related material. The cost is as follows:

• $80 for 1st through 6th Grade Basketball
• $60 for Kindergarten Division
• $25 for players who have a Mother or Father deployed overseas with the Military anytime from November through March

Evaluations, Team Selection and Key Dates

Evaluations are held for each basketball player to evaluate their current ability. The evaluations will help create as equal and fair teams as we can. At evaluations, each player will run six thirty-second drills, have their height measured and be fitted for their jersey. Evaluations are mandatory. Evaluation dates are:

• Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• Saturday, November 21 from 9:00am to 1pm.

Teams will be selected by the end of November and given to the coaches at the December coaching clinic. You should receive a call for your coach by Christmas. Our season begins with practice on Monday, January 4. Our first games on Saturday, January 9. Our Awards Night will be held on Sunday, February 28.

Division Alignments

• Kindergarten. New this season, the Kindergarten division will be co-ed. Also, they will not practice during the week (which is the reason for the reduced cost), but will have one-hour and fifteen minutes of time on Saturdays. This time will be allocated 25 minutes of practice time, then a game consisting of two 14 minute halves. Kindergartners will meet each Saturday at 8:45 for their practice and game day. Games are played on the half courts with 7'6" baskets and 25" basketballs. This division is limited to the first 28 registered players.
• 1st and 2nd Grade Boys. This division has a one-hour practice either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and a game each Saturday consisting of two twenty-minute halves. Games begin at 10am or 11am on Saturdays. The games are played on the half courts with 8' foot baskets and 25" basketballs. This division is limited to the first 64 boys.
• 1st-3rd Grade Girls. This division has a one-hour practice either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and a game each Saturday consisting of two twenty-minute halves. Games begin at 12pm on Saturdays. The games are played on the half courts with 8'6" foot baskets and 27" basketballs. This division is limited to the first 32 girls.
• 3rd and 4th Grade Boys. This division has a one-hour practice either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and a game each Saturday consisting of two twenty-minute halves. The games are played on the half courts with 9' foot baskets and 28.5" basketballs. Games begin at 1pm and 2pm on Saturdays. This division is limited to the first 64 boys.
• 4th-6th Grade Girls. This division has a one-hour practice either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and a game each Saturday consisting of two twenty-minute halves. The games are played on the full court with 9'6" foot baskets and 28.5" basketballs. Games begin at 3pm and 4pm on Saturdays. This division is limited to the first 32 girls.
• 5th and 6th Grade Boys. This division has a one-hour practice either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and a game each Saturday consisting of two twenty-minute halves. The games are played on the full court with 10' foot baskets and 28.5" basketballs. Games begin at 5pm and 6pm on Saturdays. This division is limited to the first 32 boys.

Leaders, Coaches and Referees Needed

We are in need of leaders, coaches and referees for the upcoming season. Here are our needs:

• With 24 different practice nights, we need six different leaders willing to run practice nights (open gym, set up goals, distribute practice equipment, monitor building, close the gym).
• With eight game days, we need four to six leaders available to monitor the atrium or run the gym (announce the games and make sure games are staying on time).
• With 28 basketball teams, we will need at least 56 coaches.
• With 16 games each Saturday, we need between 16-24 referees for the season.

The great news is we have systems we teach you to help you in whatever you can do to help. We will have a coaches and referees clinic in December. The exact date and time will be announced in mid-November.

We also have a special leadership clinic scheduled for Friday, November 13 beginning at 5pm and running to 8pm. It will be run by David Glass, the regional representative for Upward. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP by replying to this email.

As always, please remember to let your friends know about the league. We do not advertise to the public and it is only through word of mouth that we advertise. Please feel free to forward this email to any of your contacts.

This is a great chance to minister to children around the community! For more information, contact Mike Milligan at or Sue Hilton at .