Who: Players ages 14-18. To be eligible to try out for the 2024 World Junior Ultimate Championships (WJUC) in the next tryout cycle, athletes must be at least 14 years old by the date of the camp and must not turn 20 before January 1, 2025.
Players don't have to meet the tryout requirements to attend the camp as it will still be a beneficial player development opportunity.
Where: Jack E. Cook Park, 12N442 Switzer Rd, Elgin, IL 60124
Cost: $115 includes U.S. National Team reversible tank and disc.
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 26 at 11:59 pm CST
No refunds will be given after June 27, 2023.
Please note that you must pay at the same time you register.
U.S. National Team Coach John Groess will run the camp. The camp is designed to give attendees insight and experience in the skills, tactics and games utilized at National Team tryouts. It will be an opportunity for players to receive a better understanding of the U.S. National Team culture and tryout process. The camp will also give campers and coaches a chance to learn each other's playing and coaching styles.
John Groess started playing ultimate in high school in 2001 at Cretin - Derham Hall. While there, he competed in various national level tournaments and won a state championship in 2004. After high school, John played college ultimate at St. John's University, competing in DIII nationals each of his four years. After college, he has played on various club teams in both single gender and mixed play. He has played internationally in South Africa, Spain, Germany, and the UK. He was a member of the Spanish National Team in 2016 that competed in WUGC in London, England. As a coach, John has coached at the middle school, high school, college, and club level. He is the current coach of Benilde-St. Margaret's Middle School mixed team, Benilde-St. Margret's High School women's team, MN Drag'n Thrust in the adult club mixed division, and Team USA Mixed Beach preparing for the beach world championships in November 2023. Outside of coaching, John is an avid bird watcher, home remodeler, and gardener. He lives in St. Paul, MN.
If there are enough registrants, campers will be divided up by gender.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This camp is not a tryout for the U.S. National Team.
- Attendance at this camp is not a requirement nor any guarantee of acceptance into the U.S.National Team tryout process or U.S. National Teams themselves.