Frequently Asked Questions

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2013 SUMMER NATIONAL GAMES QUESTIONS

  • Q: When will the detailed schedule with event dates and venues be available?
    A: A detailed schedule will be available on the 'Competition Schedule' page (a subpage under '2013 National Games') at a later date and sport specific schedules can be found on the 'Sport Specific Info' pages. Age specific competition start times will not be available until after registration closes in the Spring of 2012.
     

2013 SUMMER NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES QUALIFICATION QUESTIONS

  • Q: When are the next Summer National Senior Games?
    A: The next Summer Games will be July 21 - August 5, 2013 in Cleveland, OH. Qualifying will take place at 2012 State Qualifying Games.
  • Q: How do I qualify for the 2013 Summer National Senior Games?
    A: To participate in the Summer National Senior Games, you must be 50 years old and qualify the year before through a NSGA sanctioned State Qualifying Games. You may qualify through the state you live in, or any State which allows out-of-state competitors; however, you should contact these States directly for qualifying information. A complete list of sanctioned State Organizations with contact information and web link (if provided) is available on this website. Click on the "State Senior Games" tab.

    Qualifying standards differ depending on the sport/event and you should read more information about qualifying in the 2013 Summer National Senior Games Rule Book posted under the '2013 National Games' page of this website.

    In most sports, the top 4 finishers in each age group qualify for Nationals, as well as those who meet the Minimum Performance Standards (in applicable sports). The exceptions are Tennis and Pickleball (only the top 3 finishers for each age group qualify), Golf (you must meet the Minimum Performance Standards) and Triathlon (all finishers qualify). For team sports (basketball, softball, volleyball) the top 3 teams in each age group qualify. Demonstration sports do not require qualification.

    No matter what place an athletes finishes, they may also qualify in the sports which have Minimum Performance Standards (MPS), by meeting or exceeding the MPS for the age-division they are competing in at the State Level. (Ex. An athlete is 54 in 2008 and competes in the 50-54 age division at their State Games, but will move up to the 55-59 age division at Nationals. They must meet the MPS for the 50-54 age division to qualify for Nationals).
     

  • Q: I medaled at the 2011 Summer National Senior Games. Does that automatically qualify me for the 2013 National Games?
    A: No. You must qualify for each Summer National Senior Games by meeting the qualifying criteria at a state games the year before Nationals.
  • Q: Between the State Qualifying Games and the National Games I will change age brackets. With which age group do I qualify and compete at Nationals?
    A: At the State Games you will qualify in the correct age group for your current age at the time of the State Games (some states use different dates within the year to determine their age groups, so if you have a question please check with the state). When you register for Nationals, our registration system will automatically put you in the correct age bracket for the age you will be on 12/31/2013.
  • Q: When/Where will my State Games be held and what events are offered?
    A: For a complete list of dates and contact info for State Games, click on the 'State Senior Games' page. You will need to contact the State(s) you are interested in to find out which sports/events are offered.
  • Q: My state does not offer a certain event which I want to qualify in to go to Nationals. How can I qualify?
    A: You have two options - through 'Limited Events' or through another State Games:
  1. 'Limited Events' -  The events 20K or 40K Cycling, Hammer Throw, Pole Vault, Triple Jump or Triathlon are considered "limited" events and if they are not offered at your home state Games, you can qualify in other ways. Click for instructions and the form.
  2. If your event is not a 'limited event', the only other way to qualify is to go to another state's Games. You may participate in any State Qualifying Games which allow out-of-state competitors. Contact info, Games dates, and whether a state is open or closed to out-of-state athletes is posted on the 'State Senior Games' page of the website. We suggest you call the state you are thinking about competing in to find out their qualifying procedures for out-of-state athletes because it might vary from state to state.

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

  • Q: How do I suggest a new sport or event be added?
    A: Currently, our sports are as follows: 2013 Summer - Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Race Walk, Racquetball, Road Race, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Field, Triathlon, and Volleyball. 2011 Summer Demo Sports - Soccer, Power Walking. Championships & Hockey Classic - Team Bowling, 2-Person Golf, Ice Hockey, Pickleball, Team Curling.

    New sports/events are the responsibility of the National Games Committee, which relies on the recommendations of the staff. Given the large size of our Summer Games it is unlikely we will add any events soon. In addition, we normally require that a large number of states conduct the competition in order to be included on the National menu. The procedure for requesting a sport and/or event be added to the National Games may be found in the '2013 National Senior Games Rule Book', Rule Q (page 10).