Upward Sports Brings Youth Basketball and Cheer to Baker City Church Saturdays

Smiles, laughs and an occasional referee’s whistle, traveling isn’t often called for the youngest players, are the sounds of Saturdays at the Nazarene Church’s Family Life Center. Upward Sports has filled the Baker City Nazarene Church gym on weekend mornings with games and cheer routines, providing organized activity for 131 athletes in grades K-6 and drawing families to a community hub.

This is the 8th year for Upward Sports at Baker City Nazarene Church, a nationwide, Christian-based program that partners with more than 400 churches. Jon France, in his second year as local director, said the program “offers a wide variety of sports. The best match here is basketball and cheer,” and added, “I love the fact that everyone says it’s fun.” France also noted that sponsors play a role in keeping the program accessible: “Sponsors help with that,” referring to assistance for fees and scholarships.

Participation is substantial and structured. Cheerleading is at full capacity with 45 participants, and the local program provided 24 scholarships this season to offset registration fees. The season includes one week of practice and seven weeks of games across January and February. Saturday play begins at 9:00 a.m. with the older division, grades 4-6, who play four 10-minute quarters on the full court while cheerleaders attend those games. Younger teams in grades K-1 and 2-3 play on shorter courts starting at noon; grade 2-3 games last 32 minutes and K-1 games last 24 minutes.

The Family Life Center doubles as a visible community marketplace. Banners from local sponsors line the gym walls, and Grocery Outlet provides food for game days and for an end-of-year banquet that is new this year. Sponsors also help with equipment needs, such as mats for cheerleaders, underscoring how private support supplements program operations and lowers barriers for families.

Registration follows a steady cadence to manage uniforms and logistics: sign-ups open on the last Sunday in September and close around Dec. 1. France distributes information during Community Night Out and Halloween events, posts materials on the church website, and places posters with a registration QR code to reach parents and guardians across Baker County.

The local program’s scale and sponsorship model have implications beyond weekend play. By using church facilities, Upward Sports provides low-cost recreation that eases demand on municipal facilities and offers sponsors direct community visibility. The scholarship tally of 24 and a roster of 131 athletes highlight both demand for youth programming in Baker City and existing efforts to address affordability.

Photographs from recent games capture the energy: Corwin Micka takes a shot as teammate Addi Younger (No. 2) watches during an Upward Sports game on Jan. 31, 2026, at the Baker City Nazarene Church gym. Dax Layton looks for an open team in action during the same session.

For families, the program is a predictable, low-friction option for winter activity; for local businesses and the church, it is a platform for community investment. As this season continues through February and plans begin for next fall, continued sponsor support and volunteer involvement will shape whether Upward Sports can expand spots and sustain the scholarships that keep participation broad in Baker County.