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.

"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

2025-26 Season Has Come to an End

Our 2025-26 season has come to an end -- and what an exciting season it was! We are so thankful for the more than 230 players (and their families) who joined us for the season. And we want to offer a special thank you to the wonderful volunteer coaches who led & mentored the teens throughout the season.

Help Congratulate Season Champions!

7th - 9th Grade Boys Division: The Benchwarmers (7-0) Led by Mike & Ashley Morrow
10th - 12th Grade Boys Division: The Juggernauts (8-0) Led by Steve Gruendel (team not pictured)
7th - 12th Grade Girls Division: The Stingrays (8-0) Led by Gary Hartnett & Mike Soden

2026-27 Youth Basketball Season

Our ministry provides this youth basketball opportunity once per year, with registration opening October 1st and games beginning the first weekend in January (2027); please return to this site in the fall and follow us on social media for announcements about next season's schedule.

Player Eligibility & Registration

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 January 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 play in an older bracket, but not a younger bracket.
Interested players may assemble a team or register as individuals and the league will assign them to appropriate teams. Each player must register & pay individually online; if part of an assembled team, he/she can indicate his/her team's name or coach's name within their registration to assure they are assigned to the same team.

Our teams are formed within the following brackets:
 7th - 9th Grade Boys
 10th - 12th Grade Boys
 7th - 12th Grade Girls

Coaching Eligibility & Registration

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. While a coach may utilize a 'helper' who is between 18 to 21 years of age, 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.

Have other questions about coaching? Please Use This Form to Contact Us

Practices

Free 45-minute half-court practice space will be made available at the MUMC gym on a first-come basis. Practice balls are provided, and we discourage players/teams from bringing their own basketballs. Signups for practice times will be made available to the coaches.

Games

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

Jerseys

Players may rent league jerseys ($20; $10 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.

Weekly Devotions

As part of this basketball ministry, each team will be asked to participate in weekly devotions 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 see our 2025-26 weekly devotion series, please click here.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES - if you want to become part of this great ministry, here's how you can help

Become a practice monitor - approved volunteer adults are present during all practice sessions; you are here to greet parents & player, answer questions, and respond to any issues that may arise. It is a fun & easy job as we have some outstanding coaches managing their teams. Practices occur weeknights & Sunday afternoons.

o If interested or if you have questions, please Send Us a Message and we will contact you.

Become a part-time Scorekeeper - each season, this opportunity is open to teens (at least 16 yrs. old) and college students, whether you're playing on a team or not. No experience is required; you'll receive training before the season begins.

o This season's application period is CLOSED.

Please Contact Us with questions about this ministry.

Connect