What will my child receive after Evaluation day?

After Evaluation Day, Woodlawn Upward will order each child’s Upward Kit. Each child's Upward Kit will typically include the following items, usually given out on the first practice date:

For Basketball Players
Reversible Mesh Game Jersey
Matching Reversible Shorts
Upward T-shirt (to be worn under Jersey)
Scripture Memory Tool

For Cheerleading
Upward Game Cheer Top and Skorts
Pom-Poms
Matching Hair Ribbon
Scripture Memory Tool

When and where are the games?

All basketball and cheerleading games will be held at the Gym of Woodlawn Baptist Church on Saturday. Game times will vary each week spanning from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. starting promptly on the hour. Except for the K League, game times are 1 hour long. Players are required to be present 20 minutes before the assigned game time. Please refer to Woodlawn Upward Schedule 2024-2025 for more information.

When and where are the practices?

In order not to overwhelm each player and family, there will only be 1 Practice per week for 1 hour only and one game for 1 hour each week. (Exceptions in the K League, as they have no practice during the week. For players in the K League, Saturday game time will be split into ½ hour of practice followed by ½ hour of the game). No practices or games are allowed on Wednesday. The practice location will also be at the Gym of Woodlawn Baptist Church. Practices take place for one hour every Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday (minus 2 weeks off for Christmas and New Year) from 6 PM-9 PM starting the week of December 4th. You will be notified when your practice is once your child is assigned to a team. Your practice is only one night per week. Exact practice nights and times will be determined and communicated by the coaches to parents via email after the team assignment. Please check your email. 

What are Game Days Like?

At the beginning of each game, every player and cheerleader will be introduced over the loudspeaker along with some upbeat music to get the crowd excited about the game. The kids love this and will not want to miss it each week, so be at the games early to make sure your kids get to do this each week.

Each game will be two 18-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime. A fun game and/or devotion or testimony will be given at each game’s halftime as well as a cheer routine.  

After each game, every child will meet at the Woodlawn Education Building to receive an “iron-on star” for their uniform T-shirt for various efforts, like Best Offense, Best Defense, Best Effort, Best Sportsmanship (Most Spirit), and the best of all ….Most Christ-like – By the end of the year, each child should have received at least one of all the stars. Kids love this!

How long is the season?

Practices will start the week of Dec. 4th, 2023.  Games will be held every Saturday starting Jan. 6th, 2024, and ending with an award ceremony on Saturday, Feb 24th. The exact time will be announced during the season.  Please see Woodlawn Upward Schedule 2023-2024 for more information. 

Will my child receive a trophy?

Every child will receive an “End of the Year Award”. Each child will receive the same award regardless of wins or losses during the season. This award may or may not be a trophy. The award will be a special gift for the child to remember the season. In the past, we have awarded items such as sports watches, duffel bags, trophies, medallions, basketballs, etc.

Team victories and losses?

“Every Child is a Winner,” therefore we do not maintain any league standings such as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, place teams or officially track wins and losses. The score will be kept at each game, however, no official league standings will be kept. Our league is focused on developing the skills of the child. 

Playing time?

Each child will play at least ½ of every game in which they are present. These playing times are predetermined by an Upward rotation schedule. Every child on the team will play according to a rotation schedule regardless of skill level.

Coaching? Refereeing? Volunteering?

As you consider whether to sign your child up for Upward, we hope you will also consider whether you will be willing to help coach a team as well. The Upward program makes coaching as easy as possible with practice schedules, offensive plays, devotions, and player rotations provided. However, the program is only capable of existing if parents are willing to coach and show encouragement to the players.  We hope you will partner with Upward Sports as a coach, referee, clean-up, etc.