Upward Basketball and Cheerleading

 

 

 First Game:
Upward Photo Day: 
Last Game: Saturday,

Awards Celebration:  

 

 all fall Registration F

 y Life Center at Daphne United Methodist Church or mail to:aphne United Methodist Church ttention: Upward Registration egistration fee may be drat the hurch office, Community Life Center, anytime between

 

To find out more about Upward, check out the Upward site at: upward.org

Upward seeks to develop the self-esteem of each participant, while teaching respect for authority, sportsmanship, character, and fundamental skills of basketball, cheerleading, soccer, baseball, softball and flag football. One of the purposes of Upward is to share the love of Jesus Christ with each player, coach, official, and family.

How Upward Began...
In 1986, through the obedience of a recreation minister named Caz McCaslin, Upward Basketball began at a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was God who founded this ministry and has been faithful to see it to fruition. Emphasis was placed on Christlikeness and good sportsmanship, not championships. Changed hearts and lives were seen in both those who played basketball and those who administered the league.

With a full gym and 27 children on a waiting list, Caz began evaluating the church grounds to see if anything could be renovated into a basketball court. The estimate for transforming the youth facility back into a gymnasium was over $11,000. After sharing his burden with a friend, he was generously given the funds needed for renovations and 27 children played for free.

When the next basketball season came, Caz was unsure of what to do. He explored the possibilities of building more courts at the church. When Caz approached his friend who had met his needs before, he heard these words. “Caz, you don’t need another gym…What you need is 1,000 gyms.” This statement led to the growth of Upward from one church to seven churches, and Upward Unlimited was born. Every new season has brought more leagues, more staff and more opportunities to share the Gospel.

Why do Upward:
Upward Basketball 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, you are able to build a league that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in all who participate by:

 

 

Goal Height – Boys  and Girls

1st -2nd grade = 8 foot     3rd-4th grade = 9 foot     5th-6th grade = 10 foot     Kindergarten = 6 foot
 
Rules Unique to Upward Basketball:
The rules unique to Upward Basketball are designed to recognize that Every Child Is A Winner by promoting:

As a parent, you play a very important role in building the self-esteem and character of your child and every child in this league.  Players will look to their parents, coaches, and referees as models for sportsmanship, respect for authority, and positive attitudes.  By being a positive participant in this league, you can provide a lasting effect in these children that will live well beyond the end of the season. Thank you so much for all you do this season to help recognize that Every Child is a Winner.

 

 

Weekly Practice Devotions:
Each week at practice the coach will lead a devotion and review a scripture learning verse. We encourage all players to learn their verse each week. Players will be receive a green star for learning their scripture each week and reciting at practice.

 

 

Stars:
Star awards are given to every participant at the end of each practice and game for the purpose of encouraging and building self-esteem of each child. Instead of the outcome of the game, the focus is shifted to the attitudes and efforts of each child on the team or squad. This should be a time of excitement. Parents should be encouraged to cheer for participants as each star is presented. Stars come in the colors listed below. After each game, each player on our team will receive a star. There are five colors of stars, and each color stands for something different. Your actions and attitudes on game day will help to determine what star you receive.

Let’s think about what these stars mean.

Substitutions - This substitution system is designed to provide every player equal opportunity for improvement.
 

The substitution system ensures that:
· Every child will play at least half of the game.
· No child will sit out back-to-back six minute segments.
· The starting lineup changes every game.
· In most cases, each child will play against someone of equal ability.
· Coaches are not open to making unfair substitutions or being accused of such actions.
· Coaches are free from monitoring playing time for each player.
· Playing time for all players is virtually even over the course of the season.

 

 

 

 

FAQs for Parents
What age group is Upward for and what sports are currently offered?
1st – 6th grade boys and girls
Upward is designed for K-5 through 6th grade children. Daphne UMC currently only offers basketball.

 

 

How much does it cost for my child to participate in an Upward program?
See Registration Information. If you have financial questions please contact Neil at neil@dumc.org

 

 

 

 

How much of a time commitment is this on our family?
Typically, an Upward league begins with two to four weeks of one hour practices per week and is followed by eight weeks of games and practices. Therefore, the time commitment is two hours per week once games begin. With busy family schedules, this set up is ideal and we continue to hear that it works great for volunteers, participants and families.

 

In other sport leagues, my child did not get to play as much as other children. How is an Upward league different in that regard?
Upward has trained its coaches and partners to implement a league that ensures all registered children will play. As coaches are trained on the Upward substitution system, they are given parameters for substituting players in and out of the game. The substitution system provides every child the opportunity to be in the starting lineup, requires no child to sit out back-to-back segments and allows every child to play at least half of the game.

 

What can I expect from coaches in an Upward league?
Upward understands that for most participants and their families, the difference between a good and bad sports league experience is the coach. The role of the coach is to uphold the Values of Upward. Their success is not determined by wins and losses, but how they convey the love of Christ to each participant. Upward understands that for most participants and their families, the difference between a good and bad sports league experience is the coach. The role of the coach is to uphold the Values of Upward. Their success is not determined by wins and losses, but how they convey the love of Christ to each participant.

 

How can I help with the league?
Parents are encouraged to volunteer as coaches, assistant coaches or co-coaches, team parents or volunteer to help with Evaluation days. Older siblings can also apply to help with scorekeeping and playing the devotions during the game.

If you are interested in volunteering – please indicate on your child’s registration form or email Neil at Neil@dumc.org.

 

Who needs to attend the Evaluations?
1. All players new to Upward Basketball
2. All players who are new the Daphne UMC Upward program
3. All players who have not played last year with Daphne UMC Upward program.

Practice locations are decided by grades that your child is currently in. Practices and games will be held at the same location. If there is a location or time change you will be notified in advance by your coach.

Please indicate the coach preference on the registration form. We will try to accommodate most requests, but we cannot guarantee placement with a certain coach. We will place coaches children on their team unless indicated otherwise.

Please indicate in the carpool link if there is a carpool request on the registration form. We will try to accommodate most carpool requests, but we cannot guarantee placement. Carpool requests can only be honored for children in the same grade and gender. We do not automatically put siblings of the same gender on the same team, unless it is indicated in the carpool link on the registration form.

What about practice nights – can we request a certain night?
 

Please indicate on the registration form if there is a night that you cannot practice. We will try to accommodate practice night requests, but we cannot guarantee. Coaches will be given preference on practice night requests. Practice nights are determined by gym availability and coaches’ availability. We try to have the younger players practice earlier in the evening.

Machine wash COLD with like colors
Gentle Cycle
Do not use Bleach. Use non-chlorinated detergent when washing your child's uniform
Do not tumble dry low - Line Dry Flat
Do not iron
Do not dry-clean

 

1. Use an iron set at medium high temperature.
2. Set the iron to no steam.
3. Press using both hands for 15-20 seconds.
4. Do not move the iron back and forth as in ironing, just press down firmly.

 

How much of a time commitment is this on a coach?
Typically, an Upward season begins with two to four weeks of practice followed by eight weeks of games and practices.  Practices are one night a week and one hour long.  Each team will have one game a week with that game lasting one hour. Coaches are required to referee the game before their scheduled game. Coaches are also asked to participate in the Evaluations.

 

How will I monitor playing time for each of my players?
Using the Upward Substitution System, coaches are free from monitoring playing time for each player.  The system allows for equal playing team for each player.  The substitution system provides every child the opportunity to be in the starting lineup, requires no child to sit out back-to-back segments, and allows every child to play at least half of the game.

 

What are the typical team sizes?
Ideal number of 7-8 players with maximum team size being 10. Recommended play is 5 v 5.

 

What resources will Upward provide me?
Upward provides the following resources for coaches:
• Coach playbooks (includes a coach DVD)
• Weekly devotions (included in playbook)
• Upward Award Stars (see next question)
• Substitution forms
• Star Distribution forms

 

What are Upward Award Stars?
Upward Award Stars are multi-colored stars that are given to each player for positive characteristics exhibited during game play.  Green Stars are also awarded at practice for scripture learning.  Each game day color represents a different meaning:

RED STAR - Best Defense  
BLUE STAR - Best Effort   
GRAY STAR - Best Offense   
GOLD STAR - Best Sportsmanship  
WHITE STAR - Christlikeness  

 

What do I need to do for the weekly devotion time?
A five- to - eight-minute devotion will be required each week of practice.  Devotions are age specific and are provided in the coach playbook.  Spend time before practice reviewing the devotion and be prepared for the object lesson that may accompany the devotion.

 

What is expected of me as an Upward coach?
Upward understands that for most participants and their families, the difference between a good and bad sports league experience is the coach. The role of the coach is to uphold the Values of Upward. Their success is not determined by wins and losses, but how they convey the love of Christ to each participant.

 

When is Coach Training?
We will have Coaches Training in late November. All coaches are required to attend on of the training sessions. Training will be held at Daphne UMC Community Life Center.