UPWARDS!

This year the boys did UPWARDS.  What is that you might be asking.  "Upwards Sports is the world's largest Christian sports league for kids.  They provide a fun sports experience based on healthy competition, Upward Sports Leagues help kids develop skills for the sports arena and values for life. Upward Sports uses the universal language of sports to connect with kids at a critical age and help them discover and build athletic skills, values, self-confidence and a life-long love of the game.  At Upward Sports, families matter. Our leagues give families all the benefits of participating in team sports while protecting them from hectic travel schedules and the win-at-all costs mentality that burns out young athletes. With just a 1-hour practice and 1-hour game each week, Upward Sports fits into busy family schedules while promoting the values that matter to you. Coaches and fans won’t yell at your child; they’ll cheer for them instead! "  (All this information was taken off of their website).  I figure they could explain it a little bit better than me!  For eight weeks the boys had practice one night a week and games on Saturdays.  We got it arranged that all the boys practiced on the same night.  One really cool thing that happened at practice (besides teaching them all the fundamentals) is that they were given a little life lesson every night.  Along with these lessons came Bible verses they could memorize to earn stars!  Another thing they do is equal playing time.  But I will have to admit that one of my favorite parts was something they do on game day.  The have an inflatable tunnel, shut the house lights down, start up the fog machine and it is like we are at an NBA game.  They announce every kid (and coach) as they run through that tunnel - it's pretty cool.  Oh, but they don't just say your name - they have a special name and use a cool microphone for special affects.  Our boys got the names:  Anthony g-man Goemaat, Will I am Goemaat and Charlie Shocker Goemaat!!!  They had a lot of fun with this.  Then at half time of every game the kids go back to their designated room for another little lesson while the parents/guests are given a lesson of their own.  Not only are they ministering to our kids, but they work on the parents/guests as well - it really is an outreach program!  It was fun to watch the boys improve over the eight weeks.  We ended the season last Saturday with an awards night.  Each kid/coach of every team got to run out of the tunnel one last time and then they were given a basketball and video.  They also had some other activities for the night.  We (the boys and Jon and I) really enjoyed this ministry (program) - I'm sure we will do it again next year!! 

 

Anthony with the Thundering Herd

 

 

 

Charlie with the Lil' Leopards

 

 

 

Will with the Cobras