Short Pump Sports- UPWARD Basketball in the West End of Richmond

Well, my kids finished their basketball season today.  This year we joined the UPWARD basketball program.  It is run out of the Second Baptist Church on the corner of River Road and Gaskins.

While some of my neighbors think that the River Road area (on the other side of Patterson) is a little too far for Short Pump residents, it takes less than 15 minutes driving from around the Short Pump Mall area.

My husband and I were thrilled with this league.  Not only did the kids really learn solid basketball skills, but the league is based on simultaneously teaching sportsmanship, encouragement, and team skills.  I saw great improvements in every child- not just from a skills perspective.  They each learned about team spirit.  By the end of the season, even the youngest league of 1st and 2d graders were encouraging their teammates and congratulating them with high fives when they scored a basket.

Now UPWARD is not for everyone. It is a christian and religious based program so the children do listen to a bible story or learn about a religious based person during the games and at practice.  Also, the games start with a prayer every time.  When you are used to the YMCA, these additions did take a few weeks to get used to, but in the end, we enjoyed having your kids learn a little about the bible and a lot about learning to be better and loyal people as well as becoming more aware of the well being of others and of God.

Overall, I recommend the UPWARD league for sports.  I think it is a unique athletic program that really provides a lot of value to families in Short Pump and Richmond generally.