The ever-growing and popular athletic program of Upward Basketball is coming to Luverne United Methodist Church.

In fact, LUMC is now accepting registration for its Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading leagues, which include boys and girls from K-5 through 6th grade. Player registration and evaluation as well as Cheerleading registration will be held on November 12, at 6 p.m. and on Saturday, November 14, at 9 a.m. in the Dei Center.

”The primary focus of Upward is to develop the winner in every child, not just a select few,” Caz McCaslin, founder and president of Upward Unlimited, stated.

“This is something that we are very excited about offering to all of the children,” LUMC Youth Director Morgan Wilhm said. “Upward is a program that seeks to help children grow not only as an athlete but emotionally, mentally, socially, physically, and spiritually—and that’s something that we definitely want to be a part of.”

The registration fee for basketball is $50, and the cheerleading fee is $55. The eight-game season will open Saturday, January 16, 2010, and run through Saturday, March 6, 2010. Players will also have a weekly one-hour practice, Wilhm explained. All games and practices will be held at the Luverne United Methodist Church Dei Center.

”This is a great program where every child receives an award following each game in order to recognize a positive contribution he or she made that day,” she said. “All children who participate also receive a special award at the end of the season during an awards ceremony.”

Dr. Ken Jackson, pastor at LUMC, feels the program is one that will benefit both the players as well as the coaches.

“Giving kids the opportunity to learn and grow through participating in sports they love is one of the most rewarding aspects of this program,” Jackson said. “Characteristics such as sportsmanship, kindness and character are valued as winning qualities, and those characteristics are rewarded in the children. This is truly a win-win program for everyone involved.”

Practices for Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading will begin the week of Jan. 4, 2010, at the Dei Center.

For more information about registration, call the Dei Center recreation office at 334-335-3885.