First Baptist Church of Dandridge is excited to announce their partnership with Upward Sports

Upward Sports is a non-profit organization based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, intending to introduce children to Christ and Christian values through sports ministry. Upward Sports is supported by various denominations and was founded in 1995 to provide children with “skills for the sports arena and values for life.” Upward Sports stresses biblical values such as leadership, teamwork, integrity and respect while teaching children athletic skills. First Baptist Church of Dandridge is excited to announce their partnership with Upward Sports.

First Baptist Church of Dandridge will be offering Upward Sports basketball and cheerleading programs for kids in first through sixth grades. Player evaluation dates for basketball and cheerleading orientation are scheduled for October 26 and November 2, 2013, from 10a.m. to 2p.m. at the Field of Dreams Activity Center in Dandridge. Practices will begin the week of January 6, 2014. The first game will be on January 25, 2014, and the last game will be on March 15, 2014. Practices and games will also be held at the Field of Dreams Activity Center in Dandridge. Both games and practices last approximately one to one and a half hours each per week. Games will be held on Saturdays from January 25 through March 15, 2014, at the Field of Dreams Activity Center from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Practices will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Team schedules have not been established.

Registration can be completed online at http://registration.upward.org/UPW52910 or by completing a registration form. Online-registration can be completed now. Registration forms will be available at First Baptist Church of Dandridge by approximately September 16. Additional forms will be placed throughout the community. Registration can be submitted at the time of player evaluations/orientation or returned to First Baptist Church of Dandridge. First Baptist Church of Dandridge is located at 951 South Highway 92. The mailing address is P.O. Box 246 Dandridge, TN 37725. Church office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Cost of registration is $55 per child for basketball and $55 per child for cheerleading. For basketball this cost includes a basketball jersey, basketball T-shirt, and end of year season award. Optional shorts may be purchased for $15. For cheerleading this cost includes a cheer skort, cheer top, hair ribbon, poms, megaphone and end of season award. Optional cheerleading mock turtlenecks may be purchased for $15. Scholarships are available for children in need of assistance. Please inform the church office if such need exists.

Volunteer opportunities in Upward Sports’ leagues include: head coach, assistant coach, advertising support, greeter, cheerleading coach, referee, prayer partner, half-time devotion team, evaluation/orientation support, scorekeeper, follow-up team, sponsorships and other opportunities. Persons interested in volunteering or sponsoring a child can contact Keith Huffaker through the church office. The church phone number is 865-397-3940. A program meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

Previously Upward Sports was partnered with First Baptist Church of Jefferson City. We very much appreciate their many years of service to the community through Upward Sports. First Baptist Church of Dandridge is hopeful that volunteers from First Baptist Church of Jefferson City and from other churches will continue to participate by volunteering to fill positions as coaches, referees, and in administration as well as providing prayerful support as in the past.