Upward Sports

Discovering Jesus through sports

Basketball and cheerleading for kids in preschool through 4th grade

Upward Sports at Jerome Church

The Upward Sports ministry program at Jerome Church offers basketball and cheerleading for kids in preschool through 4th grade. Upward Sports is a ministry with a mission to help kids discover Jesus through sports, and develops young athletes and families mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially.

Registration for the 2024-25 season of Upward Sports Basketball and Cheerleading will open on September 16*, with practices beginning in early December and games beginning in early January.

*Once divisions reach registration capacity, waitlist registrations will be accepted.

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Meet the Upward Staff

Upward Sports at Jerome Church is an outreach of family ministry. Click below to contact a member of our staff team or email us at upward@jeromechurch.org.

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Additional League Information

Preschool (Age 3-4) League
New this season, a re-designed league experience for our youngest players, age 3 and 4! Additional details coming soon on this league which will take place during our traditional game season timeframe.

Age 5/Kindergarten-2nd Grade League
11 weeks of practices beginning in early December and 8 weeks of games beginning in January. 3 divisions: Age 5/Kindergarten Co-Ed, 1st-2nd Grade Boys, and 1st-2nd Grade Girls. Practices on weekdays and Saturday game days.


3rd and 4th Grade 3-on-3 League
11 weeks of practices beginning in early December and 8 week of of 3-on-3 games beginning in January. Practices on weekdays and Saturday afternoon/evening game days.


Cheerleading (Preschool-4th grade)
11 weeks of practices beginning in late November/early December and 8 weeks of games beginning in January Practices on weekdays and Saturday game days.

Important Dates

  • Complete Coach Application: September 1
  • Registration Opens: September 16 @ 8 am (Eastern)
  • Registration Closes: Divisions close when capacity is reached (typically within hours/days of registration opening, please be sure to register early!)
  • Registration Waitlist: waitlisted registrations will be contacted if a spot becomes available
  • Evaluations** (mandatory for all players Age 5/Kindergarten-4th): mid-October
    ** A link to register for your unique half hour evaluation time will be sent AFTER registration is complete)  
  • First Week of Practices: December 2-5
  • First Game Day: January 11
  • Bye Weekend: February 15 (no games)
  • Last Game Day: March 8
  • End of Season Celebration: March 9

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