How do age rules work for women's artistic competitions in 2026?

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Accepted Answer

A gymnast's age is the age they reach during 2026 (the year of competition). Minimum age for any British Gymnastics national event: 9. Minimum age for women's artistic national events: 10. The 2026 pathway by minimum age (year of birth): Age (born) S.T.E.P. pathway National Development Pathway 8 (2018) Pre-Excel Preparation 1 9 (2017) Excel 1, FIG Development 1 Preparation 2 and 3 10 (2016) Excel 2, FIG Development 2 Performance 1, Development 1 11 (2015) Excel 3, FIG Development 3 Performance 2, Development 2 12 (2014) Aspire British Championships Performance 3, Development 3 13 (2013) Performance 4, Development 4 14 (2012) Junior British Championships 16+ (2010 or earlier) Senior British Championships Each NDP grade bars gymnasts who reached "Working At" or above in certain higher grades in 2025 or earlier, and a gymnast who has qualified for the British Championships by any route can't enter NDP grades. Qualifying to rank for Junior British Championships through Home Nations needs a minimum FIG score of 41.50 (43.00 for Seniors). A gymnast outside these rules can petition the Women's Technical Committee for dispensation.

Age (born)	S.T.E.P. pathway	National Development Pathway
8 (2018)	Pre-Excel	Preparation 1
9 (2017)	Excel 1, FIG Development 1	Preparation 2 and 3
10 (2016)	Excel 2, FIG Development 2	Performance 1, Development 1
11 (2015)	Excel 3, FIG Development 3	Performance 2, Development 2
12 (2014)	Aspire British Championships	Performance 3, Development 3
13 (2013)		Performance 4, Development 4
14 (2012)	Junior British Championships
16+ (2010 or earlier)