Upward Sports Ministry

FAQs for Parents

1. Would your child like equal playing time?
2. Would you like a sports league where the coaches and referees are followers of Christ and members in good standing of a Bible believing, Christ exalting church?
3. Would you like a sports program where half way through the practice, a time out occurs to focus on God and His Word?
4. Would you like a sports league where games will never compete with church on Sundays or Wednesdays?

If your answer to these questions is YES, then the Upward Sports Ministry is for you.

Upward is an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for elementary age boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child. In addition to basketball, Upward offers cheerleading, soccer, and flag football programs to complete your Upward ministry.

Berean Baptist Church offers soccer and basketball and is seeking God's will for other sports.

Upward promotes character and self-esteem in every player by:

• Providing an evaluation system that promotes equal teams and opportunities
• Establishing a one-hour practice and game each week
• Implementing a substitution system for each team, allowing every child equal playing time
• Creating the opportunity for every child to learn the skills of the game

All games are held on Saturdays.Typically, an Upward season begins with two to four weeks of practice followed by eight weeks of games and practices.

Soccer 

Children ages 4 though 6th grade are welcome to participate in soccer in the fall.  Registration typically begins in July, and practices and games begin in August.  All practices and games are held at Berean Baptist Church.

Basketball

1st-6th grade children are welcome to participate in basketball through the winter months. Berean partners with Village Baptist to host basketball on two different campuses. Berean hosts the 4th-6th grade league, but members and students of Berean play according to their age at both campuses.  Registration forms are available at the Cafe at Berean or online through www.Upward.org.

Important Dates: 

• Saturday, January 16 - First Games
• Saturday, March 20 - Closing Ceremony at Berean 

When your child plays Upward Basketball, he/she will be able to:

• Practice and play a game every week
• Get equal playing time
• Learn techniques to improve his/her basketball skills
• Receive special recognition awards after every game
• Develop new friendships with coaches and players

Along with experience, each child will receive the following:

• Upward Basketball T-shirt
• Upward Basketball Jersey
• Upward Basketball Car Magnet
• End-of-season award  

For more information checkout: www.Upward.org/parents.

Ministry Opportunties

The Upward Sports Programs are always in need of adult volunteers to coach, assist, and referee. Anyone interested in serving as a coach or referee please contact Dwayne Smith and him an e-note for an application.

Volunteers must be born-again believers who are members in good standing of a local Bible believing, Christ exalting church.

Men interested in presenting short half time devotions at the games should contact Dwayne Smith for more information.