More information on Upward Basketball

Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading

The Upward Basketball and Cheerleading programs are open to boys and girls in grades 1-4.

Basketball & Cheerleading packages 
- Basketball players will receive a reversible mesh jersey and an Upward T-shirt
- Cheerleaders will receive a cheerleading shirt and skort
- Game day and year end awards 
- Equal playing time 
- A one-hour practice and game each week starting in January
- Closing celebration

- Want to know more about Upward in general? click http://www.upward.org/default.aspx

Key Dates 
- Practices begin the week of January 5, 2009
- First game is Saturday, January 17, 2009
- No practices or games for the week of February 17, 2009
- Last game is Saturday, March 14, 2009
- Closing celebration is Saturday, March 14, 2009 

Registration Information 
Beginning in September, parents may pickup and drop off their Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading registration form and registration fee at the church office (Monday-Friday between 9:00AM and 5:00PM). Registration dates for the 2008 season are as follows:
- The registration cost is $70.00 per player.
- Deadline for registration is Friday, November 21, 2008.
- Every player must attend an evaluation night.
- Space is limited, so register early.

click here for: Registration Brochure

Evaluation Nights 
In an attempt to draft fair and equal teams, each player must be evaluated according to height, skill and assertiveness.  Evaluations take approximately 20-30 minutes and are held at Cross of Christ in the Light Center between 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm.  November 6, 2008 and December 1, 2008.

All basketball players and cheerleaders must attend an evaluation night. A player or cheerleader that cannot attend their assigned evaluation night should attend one of the other evaluation nights. Families with more than one child in Upward need only attend one evaluation night with all their registered children. 

Practice Information 
- One hour per week (same time each week on either Monday or  Wednesday)
- Practices begin the week of January 5, 2009
- Practice times are 6:30 and 7:30 PM (younger grades early/older grades later)
- Team devotional (approximately 5 minutes)

Game Information 
- Eight (8) one hour games on Saturdays 
- First game is Saturday, January 17, 2009
- 1st/2nd grade league games (usually Saturday morning)
- 3rd/4th grade league games (usually Saturday morning)
- No practices or games during winter break (week of February 17th, 2009)
- Devotionals for players, cheerleaders, coaches, referees & spectators (approximately 5 minutes at half-time) 

Team Information 
- Maximum 10 players per basketball team or cheer squad
- Each player signs up as an individual - not as a group or team
- Teams are drafted after evaluation nights

- Parents will be notified/contacted by their child's coach mid-December.
- Most basketball leagues will have 4-8 teams per league 

Volunteer Information 
Anyone interested in coaching and/or refereeing may let us know of your interest via any of the following options:
- Indicate your interest on the player registration form
- Email Jeff Grunewald at UpwardBasketball@bloomfieldcross.org
- Call the church office at 248-646-5886 

Closing Celebration 
Fun season ending event scheduled for Saturday, March 14th, 2009 (6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
There will be music, league pictures and/or video, player recognition and a special speaker/entertainer. Every player receives a gift.

Click here for more general information regarding Upward Basketball and Cheerleading.