County-wide youth sports return to Coosa County
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Upward Youth Sports Ministry kicked off its first season in Coosa County with 63 kindergarten-sixth grade youth registered for the basketball and cheer season. Practices started last week with games set to begin May 14 at the Central gymnasium with Opening Ceremonies starting at 9 a.m.
The process of developing this league exemplified the type of community cooperation Pastor Todd wrote about in a previous column in “The Coosa County News.”
The Weogufka Family Worship Center, pastored by Tommy Thornton and Phillip Alverson, is the host church of the league, but more than a dozen Coosa County churches have helped create the league through prayer, promotion and providing volunteers. We are also thankful for the communities who helped create the league by providing practice facilities for our teams. Mayor Johnny Sharpe and Town Clerk Karen Keel of the Kellyton Town Council have been instrumental by allowing teams to use the Kellyton school as a practice facility. The Weogufka board, the Rockford Town Council, Poplar Point, and Peace and Goodwill are also volunteering the use of their facilities as the league expands during the upcoming flag football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball seasons.
The principal of Central High School, Brandi Lee; athletic director, Deborah Phillips; and Central Elementary principal Kara Forbus have been very supportive of the league, including the use of their facilities. We have a small army of volunteers serving as referees, concession workers, etc., but the backbone of the league are the eight adult team managers and the 13 student athlete assistant coaches who are dedicating countless hours to bring back a county-wide youth sports program.
The Upward youth sports program is unique because its goal is to teach athletic skills, as well as instill values based on scripture. For example, the devotion during the first weeks of the season is about contentment, “I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me,” Philippians 4:11b (NirV).
During the Team Huddle coaches lead a discussion with players about being grateful for what they have, rather than focusing on what they don’t have. We are so excited about this program for our youth, but basketball player Evi White summed it up best after the first practice when she told her parents, “That was so much fun; I want to do that again!”
If you would like to receive text updates about the league text 81010 and send the message @coosaup. Join us on Facebook at Upward Coosa Sports, thanks to social media volunteer Lynn Castleberry.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Coosa Upward youth sports program text Debi Stover at 256-401-3281.