Welcome to upward
WHAT
WE DO
Our basketball program is for children in PreK4 through 5th grade. All teams are co-ed. We encourage participants of all skill levels to come out and join us. Participants will receive a uniform for game-day.
Upward provides a positive Christian sports experience for cheerleaders in PreK4 – 5th grade. Cheerleaders receive a cheer uniform and pom poms.
Just for 5th!
This year your child will have the opportunity to play FULL court games. That’s right! At the end of the day, we transform the gym to full court games to give your player a larger opportunity to run and move on the court.
To make this fair for all players, our 5th grade division will be co-ed. Boys and girls will play together on the same teams, allowing all 5th graders to have full court opportunities. Due to the low number of girls, this also offers our girls the opportunity to play against a variety to teams.
There will be 2 full court games each Saturday.
How Upward Basketball & Cheerleading became a ministry of St. Peter’s UMC…
Children’s Coordinator, John Sullivan had the difficult task of finding just the right people to create a Christian faith-based, Christ-centered program that provides a fun environment for children to learn healthy competition, fundamental skills for the sport, and values for life. Founding directors Chris Moore and Brett Beckwith far exceeded every expectation! The foundation they built laid the groundwork for meaningful experiences for children, parents, and volunteers. St. Peter’s Upward program has continued to thrive and under the leadership of incredible volunteers.
Basic
Information
Registration Information
Registration opens August 1 and closes November 1.
NO Requests for team placements
ALL Teams are Co-Ed.
NO Refunds
For general Upward.org information, please see: http://upward.org/parents/kidsbasketballfaqs/
Volunteers
Our program is run by volunteers. Please review our Volunteer Opportunities tab (below) to learn more about our volunteer roles. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at: upward@stpeters-umc.org or you may register online.
Past & Present League Directors
2008-2010: Chris Moore & Brett Beckwith
2011: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2012-2013: Kevin Drummond & Christine Brevik
2014: Christine Brevik
2015: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2016: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2017: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2018: Jennifer Klinkowitz & Cameron Tummino
2019: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2020: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2021-2022: Jennifer Klinkowitz & Ray McDaniel
2023: Jennifer Klinkowitz
2024 – Jennifer Klinkowitz and Ashley Klinkowitz
2025-Jennifer Klinkowitz
2026 – Jennifer Klinkowitz
About
Upward
Established in 1995, Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports provider. Today, approximately half a million players at more than 2,000 churches in 47 states participate in camps, clinics, and leagues through Upward Sports’ Recreation Division.
Our Mission
Promoting the Discovery of Jesus Through Sports.
Our Values
• The Expectation of God Moments
We believe that God is at work all around us.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10
• The Life of Integrity
We believe that how we live is more important than what we say.
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. – Galatians 2:20
• The Opportunity to Serve
We believe that it is a privilege to serve others.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45
• The Discipline of Excellence
We believe in exceeding expectations.
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. – Colossians 3:17
• The Priority of Children
We believe that every child is a winner.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. – Matthew 18:14
AboutRegistration
How We Do It
– Collaborate as a Team –
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Registration Information
Registration opens on August 1 – November 1. The cost per child is $165.
To register and start your christian experience, please go to https://registration.upward.org/upw88787
NO Requests for team placements
ALL Teams are co-ed
NO Refunds
For more information contact us at upward@stpeters-umc.org
Schedule
– Conduct Ourselves with Integrity –
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1)
Evaluations
November 1 9am-12pm
Practice Begins
Week of December 29th – Coach will call to inform you of which day of the week.
First Game
January 10, 2026
Last Game
February 28, 2026
League Rules
How We Do It
– Serve with Excellence –
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Welcome to Season 19 of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading!
St. Peter’s enforces the unique rules created by Upward Sports to ensure each participant has the opportunity to grow in their athletic skills and faith journey. In order to improve equality of teams, several new rules are now in place.
Before registering, please take note of the following rules for our program:
· To improve team balance, siblings will not be guaranteed the same practice nights
. All teams are co-ed.
· No carpool requests
· No coach requests
* To have your child on the same team as a friend, consider coaching. There will be 2 adult coaches per team.
· Parents and coaches will be required to sign a code of ethics at evaluations.
· Our league is proud to be open to children of ALL levels of play. Beginners admire the experienced players and the experienced players love to mentor beginners.
· All children and families are to act appropriately while on our campus and toward each other.
· Unacceptable behavior by a child or adult will result in one warning followed by removal from our program, if the behavior continues.
Sports are exciting! It is natural to get excited when our children succeed and sit on the edge of our seats for the final game basket. However, we encourage you to cheer for baskets scored by both teams.
Please remember, Upward is a Christ based program. Our actions should represent those of Christ as a positive example to all involved in the program.
We Can’t Wait
To See You!
St. Peters’ United Methodist Church
Phone: 561-793-5712
Worship Times: 9:30 am - Contemporary
11:00 am - Traditional
Office Hours: M-F 9 am - 4pm