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UPWARD SPORTS

Flag Football | Cheerleading | Baseball

  • Group of young girls cheerleaders in black and white uniforms holding gray pom-poms on a grassy field with trees and houses in the background, overcast sky

  • Kids playing flag football on a sunny field, with some kids chasing the player with the ball, under a tent with event staff and benches in the background.

  • Young kids in teal jerseys and black shorts running excitedly across a grassy field during a youth football game, with a man in a white shirt and cap walking nearby and other players and spectators in the background.

  • Cheerleaders in black and white uniforms holding gray pom-poms during a game on a grassy field.

  • Young football players in action, one catching the football while others are running on a grassy field during a game.

  • Children playing flag football on a grassy field with a coach watching in the background and parked cars behind them.

  • Cheerleaders performing a stunt during a competition on a grassy field with a scoreboard reading 08:00, a tent, and trees in the background.

  • Young boys starting a football game on a grassy field with spectators watching in the background.

  • Young cheerleaders in black and white uniforms holding gray pom-poms, standing on a grassy field during a game or event.

  • Youth football players on the field during a game, with one player running with the ball, another player reaching out to stop him, and a third player on the ground.

Young boys in red football uniforms with gold numbers, some wearing black headbands or red sweatbands, standing on a grass field after a youth football game, with coaches and other kids in the background.

Our Mission is promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports.

SPORTS + INTENTION = IMPACT

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • FOCUS ON FUN

    Our youth leagues emphasize total player development, the building of team dynamics, and healthy competition. Specially designed game rules ensure that individual players get more touches with the ball and more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed on and off the field.

  • DEVELOP SKILLS

    Upward is designed for young boys and girls to discover their passion for the sport as well as improve their game through healthy competition. Each week players will participate in one hour long practice to develop their skills and one hour long game to give them a chance for healthy competition.

  • TEACHING LIFE PRINCIPLES

    Upward strives to develop youth mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially. We don't want to simply teach players about sports, but to equip them with team building and interpersonal skills that will help them develop beyond the sports field.

Register for the Upward 2026

Click the button below to begin registration for the upcoming Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading season. Registration opens May 1st 2026.

2026 REGISTRATION

UPWARD 2026 CALENDAR

Upward 2026 Calendar To Be Announced:

  • May 1st : Registration Opens

  • June 9th- First Player Evaluation 6:00pm-8:00pm at 14410 NW 21st Ave Vancouver WA

  • June 29th - Second Player Evaluation 6:00pm-8:00pm at 14410 NW 21st Ave Vancouver WA

  • August 10th - Practices begin for Football and Cheerleading

  • September 5th (Saturday) - First Upward Game Day

  • October 24th (Saturday) - Last Upward Game Day / Tail Gate Party / Coaches Game

  • October 25th ( Sunday) - End of Season Celebration

League Information: Upward Flag Football is created for young girl and boy athletes to discover their love for the game of Football. Upward Cheer Leading is created for young girl and boy athletes to discover their love for Cheerleading. Our league is for 1st graders-8th graders. The most important part about our league is that we strive to share Jesus with your family!

Player Evaluations: Player evaluations are an opportunity for your player to come out and run practice drills with us! Attending one of these evaluations is mandatory to becoming apart of our league. ( Each player only needs to attend ONE evaluation).

Coach Upward 2026

Do you have interest in coaching a flag football or cheerleading team in the 2026 season. Click the link below to begin the process of helping us share Jesus with our community!

Coach or Referee Form

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

Have interest in volunteering with Upward Sports in season? Click the link to fill out a quick information form!

VOLUNTEER WITH UPWARD SPORTS

CONTACT US!

Contact League Commissioners Johnny and Kristen Aarhus upward@hillcrestnaz.org

A coach high-fiving young football players during a game on a grassy field, with spectators in the background.

UPWARD GAME DAY EXPERIENCE:

On Saturday mornings you will find a high energy atmosphere that is all about the players and cheerleaders. You will have the opportunity to have a front row seat to God given talent on display each week! Make sure you grab a snack from our concessions stand or participate in the halftime show each week. We don’t want anyone to miss out on an Upward Gameday experience!

Young boys playing flag football on a field, with one holding a football and others running in the background.

Upward Baseball:

Upward Baseball is a new program we are launching with Upward Sports. God has done exciting things through this new program and we have faith he will continue to do so! For more information on Upward baseball email upward@hillcrestnaz.org

Gary Pierce Memorial Scholarship Fund:

Our hope is that every child who wants to play or cheer is able to.  We realize finances can sometimes be a barrier to participating in a sports league such as ours, especially when you have multiple children or are experiencing financial hardship.  One of our beloved volunteers and church members who served passionately for years in UPWARD passed away during the 2024 season.  In his honor, his estate formed the Gary Pierce Memorial Scholarship Fund for those who would not normally be able to participate in UPWARD due to financial difficulty.  It was Gary's dream that all children would have the opportunity to experience UPWARD and hear the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.  If you need help this year, feel free to fill out the online form here and someone from our ministry will reach out to discuss your situation. 

Go Memorial Fund
A smiling man with glasses and gray hair, wearing a jacket, standing outdoors in a city street with historic buildings and pedestrians in the background, alongside a dark blue section with the text 'Upward Sports Scholarship in Memory of Gary Pierce' in elegant font.

DONATE TO UPWARD

Not only do we need help by spreading the word, but if you would like to help offset the league costs like prepping the fields, goals, balls, equipment, etc, click the button below to partner with us through sponsorship

Donate