Matthews United Methodist Church: United Kids | Youth Basketball Ministry

a ministry of Matthews United Methodist Church

YOUTH BASKETBALL MINISTRY

We are excited each year to host our youth basketball league! The mission of this ministry is to reinforce our faith, embolden the character and spirit within our youth, and demonstrate the wonders of living God's way of life. We believe that God is Lord over all our actions, including our play. He created the world and called it "good", and while we often think of God's creation as the natural world, God also created fun! When we acknowledge God as creator of recreation, we can enjoy fun for what it is - a way to honor God with our time and energy.

2024-2025 Youth Basketball Ministry

Our season begins with open registration starting the first week of October, with practices beginning in November and games the first weekend of December. Games are played primarily on Friday evenings and throughout the day on Saturdays. This is a basketball ministry; while we encourage competitive play, we surround the season with the love of Christ. Teams are provided with a devotional series to discuss throughout the season, and each game begins & ends with prayers of thanks. Here is more information about our league:

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

1 Timothy 4:8

The 2024-25 Season Has Come to an End!

This has been an exciting season; more than 300 local teens have played in more than 100 games since the first of December. We are so thankful that these players have joined us for an exciting season and we're especially thankful for the more than 50 volunteer coaches who have invested their time & love in leading these players through the season. We would like to congratulate our three division champions:

7th - 9th Grade Boys: JB-3 '207 Elite' / Coach Stallsworth
10th - 12th Grade Boys: SB-15 The Tropics / Coach Lee
7th - 12th Grade Girls: G-8 The Stingrays / Coach Hartnett

Click here for the Final Tournament Bracket Results

Please join us in October for the 2025-26 season!

Player Eligibility

Our league is open to any youth within the 7th to 12th grade range, with the following age & school requirements:

Any player younger than 12 yrs. on December 1st, or turning 18 yrs. on/after February 1st MUST, if requested, produce proof of grade level & school involvement to be eligible to participate.
Players may register as part of a planned team or as an individual, where you will be assigned to an appropriate team.

Coaching Eligibility

We sincerely appreciate the time commitment & loving hearts offered by our coaches!

Coaches must be at least 21 years of age and at least five (5) years older than the oldest youth under his/her supervision. A coach may utilize a 'helper' who is between 18 to 21 years of age, however, the 'helper' may not represent the team as 'coach' alone during any game or practice.
Acceptable MUMC criminal records checks are required to assure the character of the coach and the safety & protection of the youth.

Interested in Coaching? Please Use This Form to Contact Rob Hunter

Practices

Free half-court practice space will be made available at the MUMC gym on a first-come basis. Signups for practice times will be made available to the coaches.

Games

Games are scheduled in one-hour blocks, Friday evenings and throughout the days & evenings on Saturdays. Once posted, game schedules cannot be changed. The season will conclude with an all-inclusive, single elimination tournament.

To view the current game schedule, click here.
To view the current standings, click here.

Weekly Devotions

As part of this basketball ministry, each team will be asked to participate in weekly devotions (provided) together; these can happen before/after practices or at another time. MUMC will provide a devotion booklet. Brief devotions will be led by ministry staff prior to the start of each game; all players and coaches are expected to be present.

To access & follow our seasonal devotion series, please click here.

Jerseys

Players may rent league jerseys ($15; $5 refundable at end of season when jersey returned) or teams may provide their own. Team names and jersey design must be approved in advance by the League Commissioner (Rob Hunter.)

Please contact Rob Hunter with questions about this ministry.

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