We want to welcome you to the official New Beginnings Baptist Church website for our Upward league. Practice is going well as we approach the holidays. We will not be practicing the week of Christmas. If you practice on Monday nights, check with your coach to see if and when you will be practicing the first week of new year and at what time. Games begin the first Saturday in January. Be sure to regularly check the NEWS section for important information.

Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading offer 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, we are able to build a league that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in all who participate through:

• Keeping sportsmanship and competitiveness in proper perspective by not maintaining game scores or league standings in any division.
• Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week.
• Equipping coaches and referees to minister by providing extensive teaching tools and resources.
• Providing opportunities to promote other church ministries to all participants and their families.
• Allowing the coach to focus on ministering to children and their families, instead of game strategy, by having a set substitution system where all players are allowed equal playing time and equal opportunity for improvement.
• Building self esteem for each player by giving game day awards following every game.
• Maximizing ministry opportunities by exposing players to Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to half-time testimonies each game day.
• Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among children, family members, and volunteers who experience an Upward ministry.
• Building towards an Awards Night with exciting entertainment that also presents the Gospel message.