Founded in 1995 by Caz McCaslin in Spartanburg, SC, Upward Sports has grown to become the world’s largest Christian sports league for children. The first-class sports programming—which includes basketball, flag football, soccer and cheerleading—provides a fun sports experience based on healthy competition for kids, teaching skills for the sports arena and values for life.

Jesus Christ is the center of what we do during the season. Practices include time for coach-led devotions. All our games begin with a referee-led prayer. Centreville United Methodist Church Upward Basketball and Cheerleading is a partner ministry of Upward Unlimited™ that includes some 2,400 churches and 500,000 kids nationwide.

Every child receives equal playing time across the eight-game season. Our games are fun and competitive, though we don’t keep score in Kindergarten through 2nd grade divisions and never keep league standings. Our trained volunteer coaches emphasize both fundamentals and character development during practices and games.

An Experience Unlike Any Other

What makes Upward unique to other rec leagues?

Every game begins with player introductions. NBA-style music. Streamers. Fog machine. You name it.

Every child receives an award for their performance after each game. At the end of the season, you’ll be able to attend our End of Year Celebration. This is a can’t-miss event!

White Star Campaign

God calls us to reach out to help our world. At CUMC Upward, we believe it important teach our kids, in practical ways, how to answer a call to service. That’s the intent of our White Star Campaign at the end of each season.

In 2009, we began a partnership with Nothing But Nets, a malaria-prevention oriented charity chartered by the United Nations Foundation and co-sponsored by the United Methodist Church, the NBA, the Gates Foundation and others.

Malaria has a devastating impact on Upward-aged children in Africa and Asia. $10 given to Nothing But Nets buys an insecticide treated bed net to protect children and their families from the mosquitoes that cause malaria.