Sports program teaches skills, values for life

SANDPOINT — In an era of sports with trash talking, win-at-all-cost mentalities and fights on the field, it’s no wonder that 70 percent of U.S. children playing organized sports will quit by age 13, and never play again. Sandpoint kids and families, believing that sports can be a positive experience, are participating in an unconventional youth sports league which teaches that the process of competition is just as important as the outcome.

For the last three years First Christian Church and the Sandpoint Nazarene Church have hosted basketball and cheerleading through Upward Sports — the world’s largest Christian sports league for children — coaching and mentoring more than 200 area kids. League registration will be held at First Christian Church on Nov. 16, from 5-8 p.m.

Focusing on healthy competition and positive sports environments that build strong self-confidence, Upward Sports equips churches with everything needed to run a competitive but fun 10 week sports program for children in the first through sixth grades. 

To avoid player and parent burn out, Upward Sports limits time commitments to one practice and one game per week. Other distinctive aspects of Upward Sports leagues include: Unique substitution system designed to provide every child equal playing time, competing against an equally matched opponent; competitive games with strict adherence to a proprietary drafting system that guarantees balanced talent on each team; and supportive coaches that bring out “the winner” in every child regardless of the game’s score

For more information on how to register for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading, call 263-4818. For more information about Upward Sports visit “www.sandpointupwardsports.org.”