COVID-19
This U-24 cycle is different from any that has preceded it. At all times USA Ultimate will work within its Return To Play Guidelines, and put safety of its members, staff and volunteers as the highest priority. We intend to run the U-24 national team program to the best of our ability, including having tryouts, with the understanding that in person tryouts may not be possible. If that is the case, the coaching staff will find other ways to evaluate players to create a 2021 national team. This may include requests for additional information, interviews, and video tryouts. Some of these selection methods are contemplated in the application below, but no final decisions have been made on how additional information will be gathered.
In addition to uncertainty around team selection, there is a significant amount of uncertainty around the U-24 World Championships themselves.The tournament is scheduled for July 3-10, 2021 in Limerick, Ireland. However, the event will not be confirmed as going forward until December 2020, at the earliest. WFDF is currently waiting for additional information regarding vaccine distribution plans to make final decisions.
It is possible that the event is canceled altogether. In that event, USA Ultimate may still choose to name a national team and create training opportunities for the program, however, no final decisions have been made in that regard.
Throughout this process, USA Ultimate is committed to being flexible, and working with applicants if their situation requires it. We ask that all applicants be flexible and communicative with us as well.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Players eligible to represent the United States and USA Ultimate on the U-24 National Team must meet the following criteria:
A) Be U.S. citizens or have lived in the U.S. for over 2 years;
B) Will be current, 2020 and 2021, USA Ultimate members;
C) Must not turn twenty-four (24) years old before January 1, 2022 (born in 1998 or later);
D) Have parent/guardian permission (if under 20);
E) Will agree to abide by the team code of conduct;
F) Will respect the decisions of the selection committee;
G) Will be able to attend training camp and the trip to the world championship event.
TRYOUT INVITE TIMELINE
January 3, 2021 (11:59 PM MT): Application and recommendation due
Late January 2021: Applicants invited to tryout camps*
Mid February, 2021: Players invited to tryout camp confirm attendance and pay tryout camp fees
*Applicants not initially selected for an invitation will be placed on a wait list. Applicants may be invited to participate in a tryout off of the wait list at any time.
HOW MANY PLAYERS WILL BE CHOSEN FOR THE U.S. TEAMS?
Coaches will determine the number of players on each team. In the past, 22-28 players have been on each team.