The Darien YMCA Women’s Development Team is coached by Head Coach Dana and Coaches Valentina and Ruslan. The Development Team is for gymnasts who are committed to developing, perfecting, and competing in USA Gymnastics Levels 3-10, in preparation for college. The Development Team gymnasts compete in local, regional, and national competitions in both USAG and YMCA programs. The competitive season runs from November through July; however, the team practices year-round. Gymnasts are selected by the Development Team coaches from our class or XCEL programs. In the past, the Development Team gymnasts have gone on to compete in college gymnastics in both Division 1 and 3 programs. Most recently, Adnerys DeJesus was recruited as a Level 10 gymnast and competes for the Iowa State Cyclones. She is a Two-Time All-American and scored a perfect 10 on Vault in the 2020-21 season.)

The Development Team is designed for highly competitive and committed gymnasts who display exceptional talent and discipline. Gymnasts are selected through our Progressive Class Program and Pre-Developmental Classes, ensuring that only the most dedicated athletes are invited to join. Once on the team, athletes are expected to train rigorously and excel across all four Olympic events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Throughout the season, gymnasts may compete in up to 12 YMCA and USAG meets, showcasing their skills and representing the Darien YMCA on local and national stages.

Commitment to the team varies based on each gymnast’s skill level, as determined by the coaching staff. Athletes may be required to train three or six days a week, depending on their development and goals. Additionally, gymnasts have the option to explore the Darien YMCA’s Xcel Team, which offers a more flexible and individualized competition path.

Though the competitive season runs from December through June, training and team involvement are year-round commitments. This ensures that our gymnasts continue to develop their skills, strength, and technique in a consistent and structured environment.

To join the Darien YMCA Development Team, gymnasts must be active members of the Darien YMCA, reflecting our organization’s commitment to community, teamwork, and individual growth.

By fostering a culture of excellence, dedication, and mutual support, the Darien YMCA Development Team provides athletes with a rewarding, high-level gymnastics experience that prepares them for future competitive opportunities.

The Darien Xcel Program is coached by Head Coach Anatolie and Coaches Sharon and Emily. The Darien Xcel Program is a gymnastics program run and recognized by USA Gymnastics. It was created to help gymnasts practice and master their gymnastics skills at their pace without the rigors of the traditional competitive gymnastics program. The main goal of the Xcel Program is to allow gymnasts to progress and excel in the sport at their own pace with more flexible rules of game. The Xcel Program is a national USA Gymnastics program of gymnastics levels that runs alongside the Darien Development Program.

While both programs focus on competitive gymnastics, the Xcel program offers more flexibility in skill requirements and routine construction. It allows gymnasts to tailor their routines to their individual strengths and abilities, whereas the Development program follows a more standardized progression of skills.

The annual fee is broken into 12 equal monthly payments. Monthly fees are distributed to team participants upon team and level selection. All team participants must be YMCA members.