Teams Overview
Our Team Program
USA Gymnastics Development Program Competitive Teams
We are proud to say that we have the largest and strongest team program in the state of Kentucky. We offer all of the competitive USAG Women’s Levels (2-10) as well as all of the competitive USAG Men’s Levels (4-10). Women’s levels 2 & 3 compete within the state of Kentucky while Women’s & Men’s levels 4-10 compete mostly within the region (Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, & Indiana) with some travel nationally. Our lower levels work on perfecting their basics and technique through our compulsory program with a strong emphasis on skill mastery and excellence. We do this by helping them set goals and challenging them to always aspire to be their best. This approach helps them when they reach the optional levels (7-10) where we aim to help them set their sights on collegiate gymnastics (Level 10). While we understand not every gymnast in our program has aspirations of collegiate gymnastics we help all of our athletes reach their upmost potential; building them up to become healthy, happy & confident adults.
Xcel Competitive Team Program
The purpose of the Xcel Program is to present gymnasts the opportunity to participate in competition and/or provide former Junior Olympic competitive gymnasts the opportunity to continue competition without the intense time commitment. The goal of the Xcel Program at Champion is to challenge each and every athlete’s limits and abilities by providing enjoyable, yet challenging practices and competitions. The Xcel program also allows for gymnasts who are exceeding (or progressing faster) in some areas such as Floor and Beam to continue to progress at this excelled pace, and be challenged in these events, but at the same time continue to work in the other events. The Xcel Gymnastics Program is sanctioned by USA Gymnastics as a separate program to their Junior Olympic Program. USA Gymnastics wanted to provide an alternative to the Junior Olympic Program (which requires a tremendous amount of time commitment) where gymnasts could continue their participation in gymnastics and have the opportunity to compete, yet with limited time commitment in the gym. There are currently 5 levels in the Xcel Program; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum & Diamond.
Developmental Competitive Team Program
Girls as young as 3.5 years old may try out for one of our developmental teams after being recommended by an instructor or attending our annual tryouts. Our developmental teams focus on technical skill training, as well as further strength and flexibility work to prepare them for higher levels of competitive gymnastics. Our Girls Pre-Teams & Level 1 Teams as well as our Boys Level 3 teams also participate in exhibition style competitions throughout the Louisville area. We have performed in the past at Oxmoor Center, KyDzFest, the Kentucky State Fair, the Gaslight Festival, the Middletown Parade and the Louisville Zoo. All Developmental Team gymnasts also “compete” in the annual Spring & Fall Performance Days as well as both Champion Challenge and Super Bowl Challenge.
TOPS Program
TOPS (Talent Opportunity Program), is a talent search and educational program for female gymnasts ages 7-11 and their coaches. During the months of June and July gymnasts age 7-11 are evaluated on physical abilities at the state or regional level. These dates are set by our regional TOP manager in conjunction with our National Elite Program Chair. From there, athletes are invited to participate in the National TOP test that is conducted in the month of October where they will be evaluated on the same physical abilities tests along with some basic gymnastics skills. Athletes are then invited to participate in the National TOP Training camp which takes place in December of each year.
Future Stars Program
In 1996 the Future Stars Program was introduced. The goal of the Future Stars Program is to identify talented athletes, their coaches and clubs and to provide them with educational and training support. The first year the Future Stars program targeted the 10 & 11 year old age group, in 1997 a twelve-year-old age group was added, and in 1998 an 8-9 year old division was included. The Future Stars program uses a special competitive routine format to evaluate the skill, strength and flexibility development of the athlete. These routines are progressive, developmental and educational in nature. The intent is to identify talented athletes and to get them started on the right developmental path to national and international success. The Future Stars program and routines are also designed to enhance and be complimentary to the age group competition program.