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The National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to support collegiate and adult club gymnastics in the United States. They are dedicated to expanding opportunities for adult gymnastics and pushing the boundaries of the sport. The organizational motto, “For the Love of the Sport,” represents a commitment to providing a community and home for adult gymnasts regardless of age (17 – 60+) or skill level. High-level junior athletes who went to a university that didn’t offer NCAA gymnastics will often compete and train next to adults trying the sport for the first time. The NAIGC offers Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, and Trampoline & Tumbling events, and any single competitor, regardless of gender identity, is able to compete on a selection of apparatus from among those disciplines (eg. pommel horse, uneven bars, and trampoline).
The NAIGC consists of roughly 2000 members spread out over 100 clubs in 40 states. Most members compete at a club affiliated with their university, but many also compete as unaffiliated adults. University clubs may or may not allow non-students to participate. Any team may join the NAIGC as a club, and individuals without a team may compete as well. Athletes may often start a club at a university that does not already have one. A full list of current clubs can be found here, and a guide to starting a brand new club is here.
Workout hours and resources vary significantly by club. Many clubs have full-time or part-time coaches, while some clubs are self-coached. Costs vary by program, and clubs self-fundraise and are student-led. This also allows for student leadership opportunities. The total cost of doing gymnastics with an NAIGC team varies across teams.
Clubs generally do not offer athletic scholarships for participants. However, there are expanded opportunities for academic scholarships due to the large number of universities offering clubs. Also, the NAIGC offers two scholarships every year and is hoping to expand this offering in the years to come. More details are available on the NAIGC website here.
The NAIGC offers three levels: Modified NCAA, Modified USAG Level 9, and Developmental (similar to USAG Level 7). The rules are discussed in detail here. Modified NCAA is great for athletes that competed in USAG JO growing up through level 10. Modified Level 9 is similar to USAG Level 9 and is for intermediate athletes who have been training for 3+ years. Developmental is for beginner athletes that are getting started in the sport. Each level is “optional” in that the athletes construct their own routines. The NAIGC has a number of skills that are unique and not in the FIG or USAG codes that can be found here.
The NAIGC hosts a National Championship every year in April. This is one of the largest adult gymnastics competitions in the world, with over 1500 athletes (Men’s and Women’s Artistic, Trampoline & Tumbling) competing over three days. Anyone can participate in Nationals as there is no qualification or skill requirement. The top competitors qualify to finals held on the last day, and awards are given out at a banquet that evening.
For more information, check out naigc.org or email [email protected].
You can compete for the NAIGC for as long as you want. Because there are no age limits or student eligibility requirements, you can continue competing gymnastics in the NAIGC until you retire. If you are still a student and want to compete in a more competitive environment, check out GymACT.