Upward Basketball and Cheerleading offer a break from traditional sports programs. 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 by:
- Keeping sportsmanship and competitiveness in proper perspective by not maintaining standings in any division.
- Equipping coaches and referees to minister by providing extensive teaching tools and resources.
- Providing opportunities to promote other church ministries to all players 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 game-day award following every game.
- Maximizing ministry opportunities by engaging players in Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to halftime testimonies each game day.
- Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among children, family members, and volunteers who experience an Upward ministry.
- Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week.
- Building toward a harvest time at the Upward Awards Celebration where players and family members are given an opportunity to respond to the gospel.
WINNING IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE FINAL SCORE
Upward is a first-class sports experience that emphasizes healthy competition, sportsmanship, skills building and fun versus the “win-at-all-costs” mentality found in many children sports leagues.
We would love to have you on our team! Click the "Play Upward Now!" button below to register for basketball or cheerleading.
Why choose Upward?
Currently, more than 500,000 children (K5- sixth grade) participate in Upward sports leagues. For over 14 years, Upward has been conducting exciting children's sport leagues and camps in the US and around the world. The DCIC is proud to run Dekalb County's premier Upward program.