FAQ's

 

The Top Question!

How do I sign up my child?

Bring a completed registration form and payment to the church office or mail in to: Capital Baptist Church 3504 Gallows Rd Annandale, VA 22003.

 

If you need a registration form or additional forms (one per participating child required), you can pick them up in the church foyer or download and print one here:

Registration form

 

 

1. Why Upward Basketball?

 

              Link: Answer

 

2. Why Upward Cheerleading?

 

              Link: Answer

 

3. In other sport leagues, my child did not get to play as much as other children. How is an Upward league different in that regard?

 

              Upward has trained its church partners to implement a league that ensures all registered children will play. As coaches are trained on the Upward substitution system, they are given parameters for substituting players in and out of the game. The substitution system provides every child the opportunity to be in the starting lineup, requires no child to sit out back-to-back segments, and allows every child to play at least half of the game.

 

4. How much does it cost?

 

The early registration cost per child for basketball is $80.

The early registration cost per child for cheerleading is $80.

After December 8, add $10.

 

Deadline for registration is December 15.

 

Basketball shorts are included in the registration cost.

Cheerleading mock turtlenecks are included in the registration cost.

 

Discounts are available. You may take advantage of any one, but not all available discounts.

                            - Single parent discount: $15

                            -Multiple kids participating: $10 off each kid

-Responsible for a first time Upward participant registering: $10 off for your child and also new registrant.

-$15 off coupon from one of the local supporting Elementary schools. Brochures with coupons available at these schools for children of these schools:

Stenwood, Belvedere, Graham Road, Pine Spring, Westlawn, Sleepy Hollow, and Camelot

 

5. When is the registration deadline?

 

              December 15th

 

6. Can my child play if they are in Kindergarten (or 7th grade)?

              Email Matt VanValdricken at mattvanv@aol.com if you have a kindergartener. Since we do not advertise availability for kindergarten age children, there is no guarantee we will let them play up. However, check with Matt regarding this situation.

 

Seventh graders are too old to play. No exceptions. However, they are now old enough to become a great helper in the program and may inquire with Matt about possibly helping as an assistant coach, scorekeeper, referee, or concession stand worker if they desire.

 

7. What about going by a child's birthday to be eligible (i.e. my child skipped a grade or dropped a grade, etc)?

 

              If their birthday falls within these dates:

October 1995 – September 2001, they can play.

 

8. What are the team dynamics?

 

              There are between 8-10 co-ed players on each 1st and 2nd grade teams. Then there are 3-6th grade Girls teams with the option of 3rd graders playing in the 2nd grade co-ed team. For boys, there are 3-4th grade teams and 5-6 grade teams. The teams are computer generated based on their scores from their evaluation. The computer automatically creates equally balanced teams to create an environment of equal and fair play among all the teams.

 

9. How much of a time commitment is this on our family?

 

              Typically, an Upward league begins with two to four weeks of one hour practices per week and is followed by eight weeks of games and practices. Therefore, the time commitment is two hours per week once games begin. With busy family schedules, this set up is ideal and we continue to hear that it works great for volunteers, participants and families. Our practices are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Parents choose one of the three nights in which they do not wish to practice and then the League Director will pick one practice night from the other two available options for the player. All the games are on Saturdays and last for one hour. The youngest children play first and the earliest in the morning starting at 9:00am and the oldest teams play last finishing around 3:00 or 4:00 pm.

 

 

10. What can I expect from coaches in an Upward League?

 

              Upward understands that for most participants and their families, the difference between a good and bad sports league experience is the coach. The role of the coach is to uphold the Values of Upward. Their success is not determined by wins and losses, but how they convey the love of Christ to each participant.

 

11. Are the basketball hoops all the same height for all the ages?

              No. The 1st and 2nd graders play with an 8ft hoop, the 3rd-4th graders play with a 9ft hoop, and the 5-6th graders play with a 10ft hoop.

 

12. How do I care for my child's uniform?

 

              Link: Answer

 

13. How do I apply the stars on my child's uniform?

 

              Link: Answer

 

14. How do I fluff Cheerleader pom poms?

 

              Link: Answer

15. Can children from other churches (or not affiliated with our church or any church) participate in Upward at Capital?

 

Yes. We accept any and all children from anywhere!