Key Info

Player Evaluations

This time is used to size uniforms and assess each athlete's skill levels through a series of skills drills to create balanced teams.

Players should report for evaluations on these days (choose one):

Tuesday, October 24, 5–8pm

Friday, October 27, 5–8pm

Saturday, October 28, 12–3pm

Where: Oakland Church (Downstairs gym)

The program is geared towards kindergarten (age 5) through 6th grade.

Pricing

The 2023-2024 cost for Basketball is $73. This cost includes jerseys, tshirts, awards, and the Upward experience.

The 2023-2024 cost for Cheerleading is $85. This cost includes a uniform, tshirts, awards, and the Upward experience.

What to Expect

Kids will have weekly practices and games where they will enjoy a competitive atmosphere, while they learn the fundamentals of their sport and develop their skills early on. Practices will include a brief devotion exploring questions such as What is the Bible?, Who is God?, What is Sin?, and more.

We play with purpose! This is more than what an athlete does during practices and games. It embodies everything needed for young athletes to develop mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. It means they put their heart into every aspect of their game. It means having a Christlike perspective in everything they do, win or lose.

We desire to see kids develop mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially. As players progress in these four areas, their development is centered on the story of Jesus found in Luke 2:52 ("And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man"). Kids will become more than just athletes as they grow in character, confidence, faith, and sportsmanship.

Mentally: make wise decisions

Athletically: improve physical abilities

Spiritually: embrace life's purpose

Socially: foster healthy relationships

The Upward Competitive Advantage

Oakland Church is proud to partner with Upward Sports. Founded in 1995 out of a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, founder Caz McCaslin had a passion for sports and a deep desire to reach his community. He created a sports experience, that met the unmet needs of children and their families, focused on the sports experience and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. This vision for one community quickly grew into a team of individuals committed to supporting churches everywhere to maximize their unique resources and personalities to serve and meet the needs of their communities.

Today, there are over 2,800 Upward Sports experiences across the U.S. serving hundreds of thousands of young athletes playing basketball, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, and flag football. What began as a local, recreational basketball league focused on reaching the surrounding community with the message of Jesus Christ has grown into a nationwide movement helping churches use sports to engage their local communities with the gospel.

While other youth programs may offer some of the same products and services that we do, one thing that is unique to Upward Sports is training the whole athlete, which encourages athletes to excel both on and off the court. The Upward Sports Experience grows as you grow, with an increasing emphasis on exemplifying the spirit of sport and of Christ. Our comprehensive approach is never without purpose, helping young athletes discover and develop the skills they need to perform at the highest level.