Information will be provided as we get closer to the beginning of next season
What
age group is Upward for and what sports are currently offered in this
area?
Upward
Basketball and Cheer Leading is
designed for K-5 through 6th grade children. Although it appears that for the Jan 2012 season will include 7th and 8th graders.
Upward
Flag Football and Cheer Leading is
designed for K-5 through 8th grade children.
Upward may also offer soccer outside of
the West Chester & Liberty Township area
How
much does it cost for my child to participate in an Upward program?
For Flag Football and Cheer Leading, the
per person fee for the current
season is $87 starting in the Fall 2011 Season. There are no early registration or multiple children family discounts.
For Basketball and Cheer Leading, the
per person fee for the last season was $100. A $10 per person early registration discount was
available if registration is received prior to October 13th. Families
with 2 or more siblings participating in the same program (basketball or
cheerleading) could take advantage of $20 per person discount with the
2nd family member and beyond.
Are
there any scholarships available?
Yes. A
fund has been established for those families requesting financial
assistance. The guidelines are very simple. A willingness to volunteer
and a heartful desire to make a difference in your child and his/her
team or squad. Only partial scholarships are available. Simply use contact us on this website to be considered for a scholarship
How
much of a time commitment is this on our family?
Typically,
the
Upward league begins with two to four weeks of one hour practices
per week and is followed by eight weeks of games and practices.
Therefore, the time commitment is two hours per week once games begin.
With busy family schedules, this set up is ideal and we continue to hear
that it works great for volunteers, participants and families.
In
other sport leagues, my child did not get to play as much as other
children. How is an Upward league different in that regard?
Upward is a
league that ensures all registered children will play equally, no
matter what the skill level. As coaches are trained on the Upward
substitution system, they are given parameters for substituting players
in and out of the game. The substitution system provides every child the
opportunity to be in the starting lineup, requires no child to sit out
back-to-back segments (possessions for flag football), and allows every
child to play at least half of the game.
What
can I expect from coaches in an Upward league?
Upward
understands that for most participants and their families, the
difference between a good and bad sports league experience is the coach.
The role of the coach is to uphold the Values of Upward. Their success
is not determined by wins and losses, but how they convey the love of
Christ to each participant.
How
can I help my child learn more about the Upward Sport they are participating in?
Talk to
your child’s coach, review take home drills found on the back of the
Scripture Learning Cards, and watch the skills videos on
www.TeamUpward.com with your child.
How
can I learn about the unique Upward rules?
Rules
unique to Upward Sports can be found on the appropriate page within our website. In addition, Parents will be given a Parent’s Guide to
highlight rules used. This information sheet is provided when your player
receives their uniform.
What
size ball should my child practice with?
Upward
Basketball recommends a 25-27 inch basketball for K5-2nd graders and a 28.5 inch
basketball for 3rd-6th graders.
For Basketball, last years season was orange and blue, similar to
the color scheme of the New York Knicks.
Can
I get a refund of my registration?
Absolutely,
just use the contact us page. A couple of important points to keep in mind:
If you cancel prior to when we order uniforms a refund
will be sent to you via check minus a $5 pp fee (our cost).
After
uniforms have been purchased, we can not provide a refund but will gladly provide you
the uniform
Does
each cheer squad have a specific basketball or flag football team they
cheer for each week?
No. Squads
rotate the teams they cheer for throughout the season. Cheers encourage
all players.
Does
my daughter have to go through tryouts to make the squad?
No. Upward
Cheerleading squads are determined by age. She is guaranteed to be on a
team.
Does
Upward Cheerleading incorporate stunting and tumbling as part of its
cheerleading program?
No. Upward
would like to ensure your child’s safety by only allowing activities
that the participant and the coach are comfortable doing. Therefore,
Upward Cheerleading does not offer any tumbling or stunting tricks in
hopes to prevent any injuries and to keep all children’s safety first.
When
will my child cheer on game day?
Cheerleaders
cheer on the sideline during their designated games. They will also
cheer during halftime.
How
do I fluff the cheerleader poms?
Place one
pom in front of you with the baton handle parallel to your legs.
Begin
with the strands on one side of the baton first, and then move to the
other side.
Starting with the first strand, firmly pull one pom
strand to the right and the next pom strand to the left.
Continue
alternating left and right until you finish all of the strands on one
side.
NOTE: To save time, you can pull the strands in opposite
directions at the same time.
Turn pom over and repeat with the
other side.
Periodically shake the pom to loosen strands.
Repeat
this sequence with the second pom.
How
do I apply the Upward stars to my child's uniform?
To apply
the stars on the following uniforms, use these instructions to help
avoid damaging the garment and to ensure laundering durability.
Flag Football - place the stickers on the flags.
Basketball
T-shirts:
1. Use an iron set at medium high temperature.
2. Set
the iron to no steam.
3. Press using both hands for 15-20 seconds.
4.
Do not move the iron back and forth as in ironing, just press down
firmly.
Cheerleading:
To apply sticker stars on the
cheerleading megaphone, remove from backing and place on megaphone.
How do I care for my child's uniform?
Machine
wash COLD with like colors
Gentle Cycle
Do not use Bleach.
Use non-chlorinated detergent when washing your child's uniform
