Frequently Asked Questions

What is Upward Sports™?
Upward Sports™ is the world’s largest Christian sports league for children.  This year, more than 520,000 children in 46 states and four countries will participate in Upward Sports™ leagues hosted by more than 2,600 churches worldwide. 

How is Upward Sports™ unique/different from other youth sports organizations?
Upward Sports™ provides a fun sports experience based on healthy competition for kids, teaching skills for the sports arena and values for life.  Upward Sports™ leagues offer competitive games through strict adherence to a proprietary drafting system that guarantees balanced talent on each team.  Upward Sports™’ unique substitution system is designed to provide every child equal playing time, competing against an equally matched opponent.  With supportive coaches and a positive sports environment, Upward Sports™ is designed to bring out “the winner” in every child—regardless of the game’s score.

How and when did Upward Sports™ begin?
In 1986, while serving as a church recreation minister in Upstate S.C., Caz McCaslin developed a basketball league that incorporated athletic skills and values for success on and off the court.  Eventually the number of children wanting to play outpaced the capacity of the church gymnasium.  In 1995, recognizing that his vision was to reach children beyond his local congregation with a first-class sports experience, McCaslin founded Upward Sports™.

How many Upward Sports™ leagues exist and where are they located?
There are more than 2,600 Upward Sports™ programs in 46 states and four countries—Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Ukraine.  You can find an Upward Sports™ league near you using the League Lookup tool on the homepage at www.upward.org.

Who can participate with Upward Sports™?
Each year some 1 million people around the world play, coach, referee or volunteer in Upward Sports™ leagues hosted by more than 2,600 churches.  Anyone—children and volunteers of any faith or no faith—can participate in Upward Sports™.  Designed for kids in K5 – sixth grade, Upward Sports™ aims to bring out “the winner” in every child—regardless of the game’s score. 

How does a church start an Upward Sports™ league?
Contact Upward Sports™ toll-free at (877) 827-0006 or click here to request a free information kit and to learn more about Upward Sports™’ Leadership Training Conference that will equip you to start a first-class Upward Sports™ league. 

Does Upward Sports™ offer anything other than sports leagues?
Upward Sports™ offers several sports camp programs.  For more information, contact Upward Sports™ toll free at (877) 827-0006 for a free information kit and learn how you can start a first-class sports camp.

What will a child in an Upward Sports™ league take away from his or her experience?
Upward Sports™ participants gain both athletic skills and values for success on and off the court—including sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity and respect.  Through participation in Upward Sports™, an athlete gets valuable game-time experience that improves skills and builds healthy self-confidence.

More than a game-day experience, Upward Sports™ helps young athletes grow spiritually beyond the playing field.  Upward Sports™ coaches, referees and other volunteers serve as role models and mentors for Upward Sports™ athletes.

Why does Upward Sports™ only offer basketball, flag football, soccer and cheerleading?
Upward Sports™ offers sports that are most popular with children in the United States.  As the organization continues to grow, we anticipate adding more sports as our participants and church partners request.  Internationally, Upward Sports™ has introduced ball hockey—in Canada—and cricket—in South Africa—at the request of participants.

How is it possible to give every child equal playing time?
Upward Sports™ leagues offer competitive games through strict adherence to a proprietary drafting system that guarantees balanced talent on each team.  Upward Sports™ has also developed a unique substitution system designed to provide every child equal playing time, competing against an equally matched opponent.

Does a child’s family have to be a member of a church affiliated with an Upward Sports™ league in order to for him/her to participate in the Upward Sports™ program?
No, Upward Sports™ is a community-based program most frequently hosted by a church.  Children and volunteers of any faith—or no faith—participate in Upward Sports™.  Participants in Upward Sports™ leagues come from many different ethnic backgrounds, belief systems and walks of life.