Mission
The mission of the NCATA is to bring the sport of Acrobatics and Tumbling through NCAA emerging sport status to become a fully sanctioned NCAA championship sport.
Vision
The vision of the NCATA is to be dedicated in the guidance, leadership and governance for the sport of Acrobatics and Tumbling at the collegiate level based on fair and safe competition while adding competitive varsity opportunities for female student-athletes.
The NCATA is committed to promoting Acrobatics and Tumbling, creating new competitive opportunities for student-athletes, coaches, and institutions with an emphasis on the value of responsibility, competitiveness, dedication, sportsmanship, and education at the collegiate level.
Our Commitment
- To offer competition at the varsity intercollegiate level to female student-athletes who have trained in the skill sets of tumbling, acrobatics, or cheerleading.
- To provide safe, fair and consistent opportunities for collegiate athletes comparable to other varsity sports.
- To become a NCAA Championship Sport in Divisions I, II and III with member institutions from across the country.
Core Values
In addition to the standards of meeting varsity sport requirements, the NCATA is committed to the following values and beliefs.
Student-Athlete Focused
At the center of our existence are the student-athletes competing at NCATA member institutions. With each new opportunity, a young woman engages in the life-changing experience of being a student-athlete, pairing her academic and athletic pursuits. The interests of member student-athletes are central as Acrobatics & Tumbling continues to develop and grow as an intercollegiate sport.
Athletic Administrator and Coach Led
The NCATA was founded by athletic directors, senior women’s administrators, and compliance officers. With involvement from university administration and legal departments, as well as head coaches of participating member schools, the NCATA assists NCATA members as they implement and operate Acrobatic & Tumbling programs at the varsity level on their campuses.
Progressive Skill Development
All student-athletes must have a solid foundation of basic skills in order to advance safely. Working with USA Gymnastics professionals, Acrobatics and Tumbling created a compulsory program with skills that include progressions and uses safety as the primary development factor. This intentional skill progression results in better technical execution while keeping the student-athletes safer.
Deliberate Policy Structure & Evaluation
The NCATA is regulated by bylaws and policy set by NCATA staff and administrators in the image of the NCAA collegiate sport model, with deference to NCAA regulations in all divisions. Competition is regulated by a Code of Points for coaches, student-athletes, and officials, which is reviewed annually. Rule changes are initiated from educated committees of NCATA staff, member coaches, officials and administrators.
Learning Opportunities & Professional Development
The NCATA provides professional development to member coaches at the annual NCATA Coaches' Summit. The NCATA staff and members grow awareness of the sport for various constituent groups, including participation in USA Gymnastics National and Regional Congress sessions, collegiate administrator events, and webinar education.