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The Upward Sports ministry at Bethany Presbyterian Church is a basketball and cheerleading program open to 
boys and girls in K5 through 2nd grade.

Registration for our next season - which takes place in January and February 2027 - begins on October 1,2026.





We rely completely on the efforts of many, many volunteers to make this ministry successful.   Every season we are in need of parents and grandparents to help as coaches and referees. We appreciate how busy our volunteers are, so we do our best to provide a practice schedule for our coaches, and a game day schedule for our referees, that works well for them. Coach role preferences (head or assistant), partner preferences and practice day/time preferences are determined before the beginning of the season. The schedule for Referees is more flexible and can be tailored on a week by week basis.

Upward provides manuals,  on-line resources and even an Upward App, to equip anyone with what they need to know to coach and referee Upward basketball and cheerleading. You do not have to have prior basketball or cheerleading knowledge or experience to coach or referee, just an interest and willingness to teach children basketball or cheerleading skills and to model the Upward values.
Please consider serving with us in Christ so that together we can deliver the very best sports experience to these children.
Registration link for basketball players and cheerleaders
Register to help as a Coach or referee
Each child, both basketball players and cheerleaders, is provided with a team uniform.  You will need to select the uniform size during your registration.   To assure your child has the correct uniform size, please refer to the sizing guide available prior to registration.
Basketball uniform sizing guide
Cheerleader uniform sizing guide

more about our upward program....

Upward Sports introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. The evangelistic sports ministry is specifically designed to promote salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child.

Upward is a unique sports ministry that delivers a fun, exciting, encouraging and valuable sports experience and partners it with unbelievable ministry opportunities. Children and families alike are drawn by the top rate sports program, but they encounter an experience unlike any they may have had before. As a result, lives are touched and changed for Jesus Christ. Upward employs effective methods to transform an otherwise typical sports experience into an exceptional ministry.
Sports are a great way for children to learn about teamwork, respect for authority and sportsmanship.  The Upward program is designed to remove the competitive aspects of the game so players can focus on these important tools. The program does not keep score, but instead focuses on creating a positive experience where every child participates and is treated fairly. Upward is designed to reveal the winner in every child. Every child plays. Every child learns. Every child IS a Winner!

  • Provides an evaluation system that promotes equal teams and opportunities
  • Establishes a one-hour practice and game each week
  • Implements a substitution system for each team, allowing every child equal playing time
  • Creates the opportunity for every child to learn the skills of the game
  • Places emphasis on having fun and good sportsmanship, not on the scoreboard and standings
  • Exposes players to Scripture based devotions during each practice
  • Facilitates an atmosphere of sportsmanship
  • Allows coaches to focus on ministering
  • Equips coaches and referees to minister by teaching and encouraging
  • Opens the doors for us to promote our church ministry activities
  • Provides opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among the children, family members and volunteers who experience our Upward ministry
 

Upward Values

The Expectation of God-Moments
We believe that God is at work all around us.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Life of Integrity
We believe that how we live is more important than what we say.
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Discipline of Excellence
We believe in serving that exceeds expectations.
Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Priority of Children
We believe that Every Child Is A Winner
Matthew 18:14 – In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
 
For more information about the Upward sports ministry at Bethany, please email the Bethany Upward Team or contact one of our pastors.
Upward logos are trademarks of Upward Unlimited. Used by permission.