What is Upward Basketball?

Upward Basketball is a basketball league for children, grades 1-6. 

It's an evangelistic sports ministry designed to promote community outreach, develop volunteer leadership, and share the love of Christ with children and their families, using something as simple and enjoyable as a basketball.

How does Upward Basketball minister to Kids?

• Upward ministers to the players
  Coaches lead a devotion at each team practice.
   
• Upward ministers to the coaches
  In Upward Basketball the coach becomes the minister.  Every coach is required to attend a training session that will teach the rules of Upward Basketball, how to encourage players, make them feel special, teach the game of basketball, and most of all, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
   
• Upward ministers to the player's parents
  Each parent receives an Upward Handbook. This book contains the practice devotions that are shared by the coaches at each practice.  At each Halftime of each game, a five - seven minute testimony will be presented in front of the families and friends waiting in the stands for the second half to start.

Why Upward basketball?

Upward Basketball offers a break from the norm.  The primary focus of Upward is to develop the Winner in EVERY child, not just a few.  By keeping this goal in mind, we are able to build a league that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in all who participate through:

• Sportsmanship and competitiveness in proper perspective by not maintaining league standings in any division.
• Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week.
• Equipping coaches and referees to minister by providing extensive teaching tools and resources.
• By having a set substitution system where all players are allowed equal playing time and equal opportunity for improvement.
• Encouraging each player with a gameday award following every game.
• Maximizing ministry opportunities by exposing players to Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to halftime testimonies each gameday.
• Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among children, family members, and volunteers who experience an Upward ministry.

What Makes Upward Basketball Unique?

Upward is different from any other league in our community.  In Upward Basketball, the message of Jesus Christ is #1.  Playing basketball is just a fun way to share God's word with our neighbors and their kids.

• Prayer is an Important Component   
  The most important aspect of Upward Basketball is the dedication to pray.  A team of dedicated Prayer Partners pray daily for our players and their families throughout the 100+ days of Upward Basketball.  Games always include a prayer before the game (led by the referee).  There's a prayer at Halftime (led by the devotional leader) and a prayer at the end of the game (led by the coach).  Practices also include a prayer by the coach immediately following team devotional time.
   
• Devotionals
  Both the coach-led and the volunteer-led devotions are a special and unique part of Upward Basketball.
   
• Upward Basketball's special rules promote:
  • The principles of teamwork
  • Respect for authority
  • Protection of the players
  • An equal opportunity for each player to improve
  • Equal playing time for each player
     
• Award Stars
  Regardless of the score, Every Child is A Winner!  The multicolored stars represent a key tool for coaches to use in building the self-esteem of players after each game.  Award Stars
  

How can I get involved?

You can get into the game by volunteering to be a:

• Prayer Partner
• Devotional Leader
• Coach or Assistant Coach
• Referee
• Team Parent

Page last updated:  April 25, 2008