INDIANAPOLIS, July 29, 2015 – USA Gymnastics member clubs may apply for grants to support activities for this year’s National Gymnastics Day on Sept. 19. This is the third year that funding grants for National Gymnastics Day are available for initiatives that promote community outreach, diversity in the sport or assisting current gymnasts who have financial challenges to stay in the sport. Since its inception in 1999, National Gymnastics Day has evolved into a national celebration and promotion of gymnastics that includes local outreach, social media activation and charitable activities.

The focus for National Gymnastics Day in 2015 is fitness and gymnastics, as well as providing opportunities for children who do not have access to gymnastics. 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin and 1984 Olympic gold-medalist Peter Vidmar have signed on as National Gymnastics Day co-chairs for the year.

Member clubs of USA Gymnastics may apply for the grants, available due to financial support from the Nastia Liukin Fund and the P&G/Team USA Youth Sports Fund. The grants may be used to provide scholarships to athletes who need financial support to remain in gymnastics; to host an event on National Gymnastics Day that promote diversity and inclusion in gymnastics and/or community outreach; or to provide a scholarship for continuing coaches education through USA Gymnastics University.

Successful grant submissions will include detailed, well-organized, creative/visionary plans that address the goals of National Gymnastics Day. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 21, and the clubs selected will be notified by Aug. 31. Grant requests must be emailed to [email protected], and only USA Gymnastics member clubs may apply. For more information or if questions, please contact Loree Galimore, director of club services for USA Gymnastics, at [email protected].

Also in 2015, National Gymnastics Day is going global and encouraging gymnasts and gymnastics fans from around the world to participate in the “Show Your Salute Challenge.” The international outreach for National Gymnastics Day is a natural outgrowth of USA Gymnastics’ Global Ambassador Program, which provides gymnastics expertise to developing nations in the sport, and its involvement in the Pan American Gymnastics Union and International Gymnastics Federation. Australia, Austria, Denmark, Israel, Panama and South Africa have already registered to participate.

The “Show Your Salute Challenge” is set for 1 p.m. local time for participants, gymnasts and fans alike to submit photos by using #NGD2015 when posting images on social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative photos showing his or her salute after executing a skill. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, September 23.

Visit gymnasticsday.com for updates and more information, as well as to download the grant application.