How do gymnasts get into the 2026 National Excel Grade 2 and 3 finals?

Q: How do gymnasts get into the 2026 National Excel Grade 2 and 3 finals?

The 2026 National Excel Grades 2 and 3 finals were held on 22 to 24 May 2026 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, alongside the NDP Performance Grades finals. Excel Grade 2 (regional teams) Minimum age 10 in the year of competition. The top four from each regional qualifier form the regional team; 5th is the nominated reserve, and 6th can be a non-travelling reserve. Gymnasts also need the minimum attainment score at the qualifier. Team format 4-4-3: the best 3 scores on vault, bars, beam, floor and range and conditioning count. Ties at 4th place in a qualifier are broken by highest E score, then by dropping R&C, vault, bars, beam and floor scores in turn. One coach per gymnast; each team names a team manager. Excel Grade 3 (individual) Direct individual entry, no regional qualifier. Minimum age 11, and the gymnast must have achieved at least "Working At" in Excel Grade 2. Qualifying scores must reach the organiser by the entry deadline. Up to two coaches per gymnast. For both, the coach minimum is UKCC Level 2, and only one coach per gymnast may be at the apparatus at a time (a second is allowed on bars to remove the springboard). Ties aren't broken at the National Finals.

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The 2026 National Excel Grades 2 and 3 finals were held on 22 to 24 May 2026 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, alongside the NDP Performance Grades finals.

Excel Grade 2 (regional teams)

Minimum age 10 in the year of competition.
The top four from each regional qualifier form the regional team; 5th is the nominated reserve, and 6th can be a non-travelling reserve. Gymnasts also need the minimum attainment score at the qualifier.
Team format 4-4-3: the best 3 scores on vault, bars, beam, floor and range and conditioning count. Ties at 4th place in a qualifier are broken by highest E score, then by dropping R&C, vault, bars, beam and floor scores in turn.
One coach per gymnast; each team names a team manager.

Excel Grade 3 (individual)

Direct individual entry, no regional qualifier.
Minimum age 11, and the gymnast must have achieved at least "Working At" in Excel Grade 2. Qualifying scores must reach the organiser by the entry deadline.
Up to two coaches per gymnast.

For both, the coach minimum is UKCC Level 2, and only one coach per gymnast may be at the apparatus at a time (a second is allowed on bars to remove the springboard). Ties aren't broken at the National Finals.