A winter league for grades K–6

Upward is a basketball ministry and not a basketball league. The main goal of Upward is to assist each child in growing physically, socially, mentally and spiritually and to give them the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Each player is evaluated on skill level and will be matched up with a player with similar skill level during the games, and Upward’s unique substitution system makes sure each player gets equal playing time through 4th grade.

Upward is a growth-based, recreational sports ministry that is great for beginners while still providing excellent basketball training for more seasoned players. While competition is valued, growth is of most importance. Game scores are kept for the 3rd–6th grade divisions to encourage opportunities for players to display good sportsmanship.

Evaluations are not tryouts — every player that signs up will be placed on a team. Evaluations consist of each player performing a few drills which helps teams to be created as evenly balanced as possible. It is very important that each player attend one of the evaluations to provide everyone with the best experience.

Any child Grades Kindergarten/5 years – 6th grade, boys and girls, are welcome to play. You do not have to attend a church to participate in Upward Sports. During practices coaches will lead a short devotion on a character trait and a commissioner or volunteer leads devotions during halftimes on game day.

The following is the checklist (in order) that the coordinators go through to best serve every family’s needs and wishes to the best of our ability.

1. Coach’s children placed on their team if they so choose.
2. Each player is afforded one practice night exclusion to be respected.
3. Carpool links — must be linked together. Player A must request Player B on their registration as their carpool link and Player B must also request Player A in order for the link to activate.
4. Evaluation scores. (Please see the question above regarding evaluations.)
5. Any other requests: player request for particular coach, unlinked friends, etc.

Upward basketball will not allow fully formed teams to play.

Each player is able to request 1 person that they would like to be on the same team with. For each carpool link each player has to request each other. For example, if Joe Smith requests Bob Anderson, but Bob Anderson requests Billy James, the request is not linked. Joe Smith requests Bob Anderson and Bob Anderson requests Joe Smith — this is a correct carpool link. Carpool links are a request we will try our best to honor, but they are not guaranteed. All carpool links must include the person’s first and last name, i.e. Bob Anderson asked to play with “Joe” — there could be many “Joes” among registrants.

All practices and games are at the Valley Community Center. Practices are 1 hour long on either Monday, Tuesday or Thursday night. Practices will be at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 with younger children scheduled during the earlier practice times. Games are on Friday night for 5th and 6th grade teams (with one exception for Night to Shine at the VCC). Games for K/5–4th grade are on Saturdays.

In order to be a head coach, you must attend a bible believing church and align with Valley Church’s statement of faith, however, you do not have to attend Valley Church. To be an assistant coach you don’t have to attend a bible believing church or align with any particular faith statements, but we will partner you with a head coach who does. Every coach is required to attend a Coach Training/Meeting prior to the season, follow Upward’s substitution system that you will be trained in, and lead a short devotion provided by Upward as part of practice each week. Also, during games, coaches take notes of what each player has done well and encourage each player with a star for their game contributions during the post-game huddle.

It is preferred that referees attend one of the Referee Trainings. Referees are paid for the games they officiate ONLY if they have attended the Referee Training. Referees should be engaged, explain their calls to players and coaches, understand the age-specific rules and be in position at all times. The Valley Community Center provides some referee jerseys, however, it is helpful for referees to have their own whistle.

Upward is a sports ministry that seeks to honor Christ in all that we say and do. Therefore, any inappropriate behavior (i.e. demeaning referees, profanity, hostile interactions, etc.) will result in removal from the gym. As a ministry, we adhere to the Circle of Affirmation.