National Team/World Team Information

National Team

What is National Team?

National Team is a prestigious honor given to those athletes who demonstrate the ability to compete for and represent Team USA with the utmost integrity and excellence. Being selected onto the National Team is a privilege, and the athletes who are selected should treat it as such. World Elite athletes who are selected to a National Team will be held accountable to meet the highest of standards. National Team members compete internationally at competitions such as World Age Group Championships and World Championships (more on those competitions later). These athletes wear official USA leos and gear and train together several times per year at the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, TX.

What are the Expectations of a National Team Member?

Elite athletes who are also on National Team will be expected to apply an even stricter regimen to their daily habits both in and out of the gym. Athletes who are competing for Team USA should treat their training as their job and absolutely put their training first.

What are the Different National Teams?

There are three National Teams. EDP (Elite Development Program), Junior National Team, and Senior National Team.

Elite Development Program

EDP athletes are selected from the Youth Elite division, as well as level 10 athletes who are 10-12 years of age, followed by level 10 athletes who are 13-14 years of age. They are expected to hit a target score during any of the elite competitions in order to be eligible. These athletes train once per year together (usually January) at the Karolyi Ranch and are given EDP apparel.

Junior National Team

Junior National Team athletes are selected primarily from the Junior Elite division. Youth Elite athletes may also be moved onto the Junior National Team if they exhibit outstanding results in competition. In order to be eligible, athletes are expected to hit a target score in the preliminary round of competition and are then selected based on their final rank. Junior National Team athletes attend Karolyi Ranch once or twice per year and are given National Team apparel. Junior National Team members are also eligible for assignment to one (sometimes more) international competition during their term.

Senior National Team

Senior National Team athletes are selected primarily from the Senior Elite division. Junior Elite athletes may also be moved onto the Senior National Team if they exhibit outstanding results in competition. In order to be eligible, athletes are expected to hit a target score in the preliminary round of competition, and they are selected based on their final rank. Senior National Team athletes attend Karolyi Ranch many times per year (based on the event they compete) and are given National Team apparel. Senior National Team members are also eligible for assignment to many prestigious international competitions which may or may not include funding.

How do I Make National Team?

National Team athletes are selected based on the published Selection Procedures for the competitive year. Usually, this includes competitive results from Elite Challenge and Nationals (potentially more). Criteria is explicit, usually requiring a preliminary score to be met, followed by final rank. Based on this criteria, athletes may “lock” themselves onto National Team or be selected by discretionary criteria. If interested, more information can be provided during the coach/athlete/parent meeting.

World Championships/World Age Group Championships Team

What is World Championships?

World Championships is one of the most prestigious competitions a T&T athlete can compete in. The best senior athletes from around the world compete for the highly sought title of World Champion. The level at this competition is extremely high, and it demands athletes to be in their peak physical condition in order to contend with the rest of the world. To compete at even a single World Championships is a prestigious honor. World Championships are hosted every year, aside from the Olympic year. Every other year, the World Championships also includes a team competition, in which countries competes to be the best team in the world on each apparatus. Athletes who attend World Championships may receive partial or full funding from USA Gymnastics as well as from their respective Region and State funds. Note: athletes who are on National Team are not guaranteed to be part of the World Championships team. However, athletes who are named to the World Championships team will be retroactively added to the National Team.

Some recent World Championship destinations include:

2017 Sofia, Bulgaria
2015 Odense, Denmark
2014 Daytona Beach, FL United States
2013 Sofia, Bulgaria
2011 Birmingham, England
2010 Metz, France

What is World Age Group Championships?

World Age Group Championships are hosted in conjunction with World Championships following their conclusion. Athletes from around the world compete at the highest level in their respective age groups: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. Athletes in the United States are selected for the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups strictly from the Youth Elite division. 15-16 athletes are selected from Junior Elite, and 17-18 athletes are selected firstly from Senior Elite, followed by Open Elite. Athletes qualify to World Age Group Championships based on Selection Procedures published for the competitive year. Usually, points are earned based on final ranking at both Elite Challenge and National Championships. Athletes with the highest cumulative points are sorted into their age group, event, and gender. The top athletes are then awarded positions to compete at the World Age Group Championships. Note: athletes who are on National Team are not guaranteed to be part of the World Age Group Championships team.