Upward Basketball and Cheerleading 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:

• Keeping 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
• Providing opportunities to promote other church ministries to all participants and their families
• Allowing the coach to focus on ministering to children and their families, instead of game strategy, 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.
• Building toward a harvest time at Awards Night where participants and parents are given an opportunity to respond to the Gospel.