Upward Sports

We look forward to our 2027 season! Keep an eye out for more information when it becomes available!

Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

NapNaz Registration & Evaluations Information

Upward Sports Basketball and Cheerleading for grades K–3 is a fun, Christ-centered program that teaches kids the fundamentals of the game while building character, teamwork, and confidence. Every child gets to play and learn in a positive, encouraging environment where the focus is not just on winning, but on growing—physically, socially, and spiritually. Through basketball and cheer, we help children discover their God-given potential and experience the love of Jesus in action.


The forms below are for the 2025-2026 season, please keep an eye out for the updated 2026-2027 season.


Participant Registration
Coach Registration

UPWARD BASKETBALL & CHEERLEADING

NapNaz Registration & Evaluations Information

All kids MUST be registered in Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year to participate.


ONCE REGISTERED: Your next step is to bring your basketball player to ONE evaluation night.


Basketball Evaluation Dates:

To be determined


All Basketball Evaluations Location:

Napoleon Nazarene Church 630 Appian Ave, Napoleon, OH 43545 Phone: (419) 592-1586


Cost for Basketball Players & Cheerleaders: $68

*Discounts available for multiple kids participating in one household. Game schedules will come in the mail with your child’s roster.


Keep in mind, we have spots for 24 teams, and ALL times are subject to change, depending on the grades and genders of all kids registering. We will NOT know how many teams are in each division until rosters are complete AFTER evaluations.



Follow NapNaz Upwards on Facebook
Email Upwards Director Janae Elling

FAQ’s

  • Can I pay online?

    Only when you are first registering your child. After that, payment must be cash or check by the evaluation nights. Checks can be made out to: Napoleon Nazarene Church

  • Do cheerleaders need to come to evaluations?

    Cheerleaders do NOT need to attend evaluations AS LONG AS they are already registered AND paid online.

  • When should I expect to hear something about my child’s team?

    After evaluations, the next contact ALL parents will hear from us is a letter with your child's roster, delivered by mail by Thanksgiving or the week after. Coaches usually do not make contact until January. Any questions about your child’s roster may be directed to Janae Elling (email listed at the end.)

  • My child is 5 years old, but in preschool. Can he/she participate?

    Unfortunately, not yet! Kids need to be registered in KINDERGARTEN for the 2025/2026 school year in order to participate.

  • When are the practices?

    Practices will be one day a week for one hour at Napoleon Nazarene Church, for 8 weeks long beginning the week of January 5th and the last week of practices will be the week of February 23rd.

  • When are the games?

    Games will be Saturday’s for one hour at Napoleon Nazarene Church, for 7 weeks long beginning on January 17th, and the last game day being on February 28th. Game schedules with specific times will come at a later date. A TENTATIVE time for each grade level is listed below. Times may vary each week.

    •Grades 2/3 Boys — 9:00am, 10:00am, OR 11:00am

    •Grades 2/3 Girls — 11:00am, 12:00pm, OR 1:00pm

    •Grades K/1 Boys — 12:00pm, 1:00pm, OR 2:00pm

    •Grades K/1 Girls — 1:00pm, 2:00pm, OR 3:00pm

Referees are Needed!

Referees on Saturday Mornings are also needed:

Please contact us through Upwards Director Janae Ellings’ link above to learn more about how you can impact our students through a couple of hours on a Saturday!