Many Lower School students play on United Church Athletic League (UCAL) teams sponsored by the River Oaks Baptist Church (ROBC). ROBC is a founding member of UCAL. UCAL teams are not part of the River Oaks Baptist School Athletic Program. The primary mission of the league is to provide families with a place to take part in athletic competition within a Christian environment. UCAL teams typically have one practice/week, one game/week, and parent coaches.
The league offers soccer (grades K-5), basketball (grades 2-6), and volleyball (grades 3-6), as well as skills in camps in other sports such as lacrosse and golf.
Complete information about UCAL sports and all game schedules can be found at www.ucalsports.org. Other questions can be directed to UCAL Sports Coordinator for ROBC, Michael Honn.
Winter 2024-25 UCAL/ROBC Basketball League
Dates: Practices will begin Saturday, November 2. All practices will be held on Saturday at River Oaks Baptist School in the Holmes Family Gym. Please ensure you can attend if you sign up to play.
Times: All practices are held on Saturday morning or afternoon (determined by your coach) at River Oaks Baptist School in the Holmes Family Gym, with skills camp and team selections as follows:
| Grade 2* | 8:00-8:30 a.m. |
| Grade 3* | 8:30-9:30 a.m. |
| Grade 4 (girls) | 9:30-10:30 a.m. |
| Grade 4 (boys) | 10:30-11:30 a.m. |
| Grade 5 (girls) | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
| Grade 5 (boys) | 12:30-1:30 p.m. |
*Please note that Grade 2 teams are selected randomly, while Grade 3 teams will be organized by the UCAL Coordinator with input from coaches. For teams Grades 4 and 5, players will be drafted by coaches under the supervision of the UCAl Coordinator.
In general, practice times are as follows and subject to modification based on the number of teams and availability of coaches.
| Grade 2 | 8:00-10:00 a.m. |
| Grade 3 | 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. |
| Grade 4 | 12:00-2:00 p.m. |
| Grade 5 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. |
Games: Games will begin Monday, December 2, and will conclude by Monday, February 10. Game schedules will occur Monday-Friday at various Houston-area gyms. Teams will play 7 games with no playoffs for 2nd and 3rd grade.
Additional Info: The deadline to sign up for an assured spot on the team is Saturday, October 12. Teams are single grade when possible. You may not request to be assigned to a specific team.
Winter 2025 UCAL Boys/Girls Basketball Academy (K-1st Grade)
Dates & Times:
Sundays: January 5, 12, 19, 26, and February 2
Kindergarten: 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Grade 1: 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Location: All Sunday sessions will take place at River Oaks Baptist School in the Holmes Family Gym.
Additional Info: Drop-off and pick-up service will be available but parents are welcome to stay. Basketball Academy will be led by ROBS Varsity Basketball Coach Keykowa Bell.
Spring 2025 UCAL Volleyball
Dates: Practices will begin on Saturday, February 15. Games will begin on Monday, February 24 and will conclude by Saturday, May 10.
Times: All practices are held Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon (determined by your coach).
Games: Games will take place at 5:30, 6:30, or 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at River Oaks Baptist School in the Holmes Family Gym.
Additional Info: There will be a season-ending tournament for all teams to participate in.
Spring 2025 UCAL Boys & Girls Soccer League (PreK-5th Grade)
Dates: Practice will begin on Saturday, February 15. Games will begin on Monday, February 24 and will conclude by Saturday, May 10.
Fall 2025 UCAL Boys & Girls Soccer League (K – 5th Grade)
Additional Info: Signups for the Fall Soccer season are announced in August, with practices beginning in early September. More information on Fall UCAL Soccer League will be shared in August 2025.
Fall 2025 UCAL Soccer Academy (PreK-5th Grade)
Additional Info: Skill camps are offered in addition to the normal, full UCAL Soccer League. All camp sessions take place at River Oaks Baptist School on the field in front of the school. Please reach out to ROBS Varsity Soccer and Athletic Director Jesse Martin for any additional information regarding Fall 2025 Soccer Academy.
