Upward Basketball is 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 as a basketball. Upward promotes salvation, character and self-esteem in every child, while teaching sportsmanship, athletic skills, and respect for authority in every situation.

Upward basketball and cheerleading is open to the community for boys and girls, kindergarten through 8th grade. Skill evaluations are conducted prior to team assignments to insure evenly matched teams are formed. Every child is given an opportunity to play at least half of the game, regardless of his or her abilities. Registration and team assignments begin in November and team practices start in January. League games are played January through mid-March. Adult and teen volunteers are used for coaching, refereeing, teaching, record keeping, organizing, and other tasks.

** Weekly On-line 2008 League Schedule **

2007-2008 Upward Evaluations & Registration
Nov. 5 - 6 - 8 - 9   6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Registration deadline is January 12, 2008.

- Practices begin Monday, December 31, 2007.
- The first game will be Saturday, January 12, 2008.
- Upward End-of-Season Rally & Awards Ceremony will be Friday, March 14, 2008.

As An Upward Basketball Player You Will Enjoy:

  • REVERSIBLE Mesh JERSEY
  • UPWARD Basketball T-SHIRT
  • INDIVIDUAL AWARDS after each Game
  • — The Blue Star represents BEST EFFORT
    — The Gold Star represents BEST SPORTSMANSHIP
    — The Gray Star represents BEST OFFENSE
    — The Red Star represents BEST DEFENSE
    — The Green Star represents SCRIPTURE LEARNING
    — The White Star represents MOST CHRISTLIKE
  • END-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD
  • EQUAL PLAYING TIME for every player
  • SEPARATE LEAGUES for boys and girls
  • Each PLAYER SIGNS UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL...not as a group or team
  • A ONE-HOUR PRACTICE and GAME EACH WEEK starting after Evaluations
  • PLUS, MUCH MORE!


Upward Basketball Home Page

For more information, contact
Jeff Abston at (865) 376-2740

Registration Information

- Registration cost per child for basketball is $50.
- Registration cost per child for cheerleading is $55.
- Basketball shorts are optional at a cost of $13.
- Cheerleading mock turtlenecks are optional at a cost of $13.
- Every player and cheerleader must attend evaluations and registration.

Download Registration Form
(Adobe Acrobat Required)

Parents may drop off their form and registration fee at the church office in the Family Life Center anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday - Thursday.

As An Upward Cheerleader You Will Enjoy:

  • POM POMS
  • UPWARD Cheerleading TOP
  • UPWARD Cheer SKORT
  • INDIVIDUAL AWARDS after each Game
  • — The Blue Star represents BEST EFFORT
    — The Gold Star represents MOST SPIRIT
    — The Gray Star represents BEST CHEER
    — The Red Star represents BEST LEADERSHIP
    — The Green Star represents SCRIPTURE LEARNING
    — The White Star represents MOST CHRISTLIKE
  • END-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD
  • Ten assorted SPIRATOOS - face decals
  • Each CHEERLEADER signs up as an INDIVIDUAL...not as a group or team
  • A ONE-HOUR PRACTICE and GAME EACH WEEK starting after Evaluations
  • PLUS, MUCH MORE!

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