Okay, so I wanna talk about this whole Upward youth basketball thing in Ohio. It all started when I was trying to find a good, wholesome activity for my kid. You know, something to get them off the couch and away from the screens for a while.
I heard about Upward from a friend at church. They were like, “Hey, your kid should join Upward! It’s basketball, but it’s also about character and stuff.” Sounded pretty good to me, so I looked into it. Turns out, there’s a bunch of these Upward leagues all over Ohio.
I found one in Bowling Green, that’s not too far from us. They were just getting it going again for the 2024 season. Apparently, it’s a group effort, which is cool. I like that it’s not just one person calling all the shots.
Signing up was easy. I found their Facebook page. They had all the info on there. I guess you can also sign up on some website, but Facebook was easier for me. Anyway, they have these evaluation days where they see what the kids can do and then put them on teams. My kid was a little nervous, but it ended up being fine. They put them with other kids around the same age and skill level.
- First practice – that’s where the real fun started.
- Coaches are all volunteers, I think. But they seem to know what they’re doing.
- They teach the kids the basics, like dribbling, shooting, passing.
- But they also talk about sportsmanship and teamwork.
Then come the games. Oh boy, those are exciting! The kids love it, even though they don’t always win. It’s more about having fun and learning than winning, which I appreciate. They give out these stars after each game, not just for scoring but for things like being a good teammate or trying your best.
It’s not just basketball, though. They have cheerleading too. My friend’s daughter does that, and she loves it. They learn cheers and routines and perform during the basketball games.
What I really like about Upward is that it’s not just about sports.
They say they want to help kids grow mentally, athletically, and spiritually. Now, I’m not a super religious person, but I do think it’s important for kids to have good values. Upward seems to do a good job of teaching that, along with the basketball skills.
I know there are other Upward leagues around Ohio, like in West Chester, Liberty Township, and Mason. So if you’re looking for something for your kid to do, check it out. It’s been a great experience for us, and maybe it will be for you too.
Honestly, it’s just a good time. My kid is learning new skills, making friends, and getting some exercise. And I get to watch them have fun and cheer them on. Can’t beat that.
