Team UP Policies
Team UP is a yearly commitment running from September through August, with the regular season starting in September and the post-season concluding towards the end of June.
Practice is 2 days a week, 1.5 hours practice at $160 a month tuition. Athletes should arrive on time and be ready to work. Note that our gym will be very busy this school year both outside in the parking lot but also inside in the seating areas and we strongly encourage the Team to be dropped off and then picked up for practice, especially during peak hours (est. 5:15-6:30 pm). If drop-off is not possible please limit one car per family. Team will not have makeup classes unless a class is canceled due to an emergency. However, we will provide a code for Open Gym that can be used as a makeup for classes missed due to illness. Coupon code is “POORSICKSALLY”. This code is limited to one monthly use and should be used for illness-related absences only. The cancelation fee for Team is a flat $100 and must be made before the next month’s tuition is charged (the last day of each month).
Team Discounts
Sibling on Team Discount – $50 off per additional child on Team UP monthly tution for school year.
Sibling in other class – $20 off regularly scheduled UP class with the exception of Ninja Warrior JR, TKD, & Adult classes.
Water Bottle Policy: All drinks should be kept in or on top of cubbies and should never be brought out onto the floor. Please do not hand athletes drinks over the fence, they should leave the gym area completely before having a drink.
Chalk Policy: We will supply hand chalk during class, but athletes must receive permission from a coach before using it. For Open Gyms, athletes may bring their personal chalk, which should be clearly labeled with their name. Chalk can only be used in designated areas set up by the coaching staff. At all times, athletes should make an effort to avoid making a mess and are responsible for cleaning up after themselves when they are finished or immediately if they create a mess that could spread through the gym. This includes bucket spills on the sideline! Following this policy ensures a safe and clean environment for everyone.
Thomas, A.J., Dave, John, & Laura will be our core Team coaches this season for both practice and competitions.
Only UP-approved coaches are permitted to coach Team athletes in any official UP or WNL event. While WNL coaching certification is required to coach at these events, it alone does not meet all of our requirements. We prefer a trained coach from our team or one hand-selected from another team to guide our athletes. Please communicate directly with Coach Thomas is you have any questions!
Side-line coaching is not permitted at any time. This includes before, during, and after practice, open gym, and competitions. Please be especially considerate of team athletes who are not your own.
Athletes need permission to enter or exit the gym area at all times. They should not be going to the fences or outside of the fences to talk to parents, guardians, or siblings.
Optional Extra Class Add-On: $35/month
1-hour practices held 2–4 times per month
(frequency may vary based on travel schedule, holidays, and gym events)
Scheduled for Fridays (except the Friday before home competitions and other blackout dates):
5:00 PM – Preteens, Teens, and Young Adults
6:00 PM – Kids and Mature Kids
Limited to 10 athletes per age group to maintain quality and space (Tier 1 or 2)
Priority given to returning team members from last season
First-come, first-served registration after priority window closes
Please note: This add-on is intended as a school year commitment and not a month-to-month option. We understand that circumstances may change and will accommodate when necessary, but frequent on/off changes throughout the year are not permitted.
Unlimited Open Gym Add-On – $35/month
Access to all regular weekly Open Gyms at no additional cost
Great opportunity for extra training time and skill development
Also considered a school year package. Please do not plan to add and drop monthly unless a significant schedule change occurs.
Important Notes:
An individualized coupon code will be provided once registered, valid through the school year
Online booking in advance is still required for each Open Gym you plan to attend
Open Gym participant limits still apply – spots are not guaranteed
If a session reaches capacity, you may not be able to attend
All competitions listed on our Team Schedule are required and take priority over any other ninja-related activities or events. Please sign up for all competitions on our schedule promptly to avoid missing out due to full registrations. Any scheduling conflicts or potential absences should be communicated as soon as possible.
Please limit each team member’s overall competition participation total to no more than 12-15 competitions to prevent burnout unless approved by Coach Thomas.
Competitive Fee covers both travel costs and coaching at all away competitions. Tier 1 & Tier 2 Regular season fee will be $80 per athlete. Fees will be collected on September 30th with the default card on file through Jackrabbit. This gives time to fundraise before hand to minimize fee or eliminate it completely. The competitive fee is not refundable.
Fundraising Participation or Opt-Out
We understand that participating in fundraisers may not work for every family due to time, scheduling, or personal preference. Families may choose to opt out of fundraising and pay the full competitive fee instead.
A Google Form will be sent out via Heja before the season begins to indicate whether you plan to participate in fundraising or opt out.
If no form is submitted or no communication is received by September 4th, the full fee will be charged automatically using the card on file in Jackrabbit on September 30th.
Fundraising participation is required per event in order to receive a portion of funds raised.
If you opt in to fundraising but do not contribute to a specific event, the collective funds from that event will not be applied to your balance.
If an athlete misses more than one fundraising event in a row, the full remaining fee will be due, regardless of prior participation. If something unavoidable comes up—like illness or a family emergency—please communicate with us. We understand that life happens, and we will not penalize for unexpected situations when there’s reasonable communication.
Regionals & Worlds (Dates TBD) will be a separate amount. *Note that a $30 membership fee is not included in the competitive fee, a one-time fee will be charged (one per family) along with every active member on December 31st, 2025 and this fee will last all of 2026.
Team Jersey
All Team UP athletes are required to wear a Team Jersey when competing in the 2025–26 season. We are using the same uniforms as last year, so returning athletes may continue wearing their current jersey as long as it is still in good condition. Ordering a new jersey is optional for returning members unless their current one is no longer presentable for competitions.
All new athletes must order at least one Team Jersey for the season. Jerseys are not included in tuition or travel costs this year; instead, they will be ordered and paid for individually by each athlete or family using the jersey link provided on this Team Page. There may be different styles of jerseys available when ordering.
We recommend that all athletes consider having a backup jersey in case of emergencies. If a situation arises where you do not have your jersey for a competition, please wear an Urban Playground t-shirt as a temporary replacement.
In addition to jerseys, Team Gear will also be available. While not required, this gear is a fun way to show team spirit and can make great holiday purchases for athletes and families alike.
PLEASE HOLD OFF ON ORDERING JERSEYS UNTIL AFTER UPDATES ARE ADDED, WE WILL NOTIFY AND LINK VIA HEJA APP, TBD EARLY NEXT WEEK!
Private Lessons are available to schedule with Thomas, A.J., Dave, and other coaches. Pricing and scheduling for these lessons will be variable, depending on coach availability and the specific needs of the athlete. Please reach out directly to coordinate a time that works best.
Team practice will continue through the summer (June through August). Pricing and payment structures will be adjusted accordingly. The total cost will be reduced to account for WNL Worlds, family vacations, and the adjusted schedule for July and August post-Worlds. This will be a one-time fee for the entire summer instead of a monthly fee. Please note that the Team-only camp will have a separate cost, all available Team members are expected to attend.
Updated 8/18/2025