USA Curling National Junior Development Program

Athletes within NJDP will receive consultation from National Team coaching staff, take advantage of increased access to off-ice training programs, and are invited to join a six-part webinar series featuring special guests that will outline the pillars of becoming an elite competitor while providing a platform for collaboration and networking with like-minded individuals across the United States. 

REGISTRATION typically opens in early August

2025-26 National Junior Development Program runs - OCTOBER thru May

Registration is not yet open

The NJD Program will welcome junior athletes who:

• Hope to compete at the national or international stage. 
• Want to make improvements to their game. 
• Want to focus on physical fitness and mental skills. 
• Want to connect with National Team coaching staff. 
• And network with like-minded athletes from across the country. 

To register, applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 12-21 (Of or older than age 12 and less than 21 years of age at any time during the 30th day of June the Current Year)
• Be a US Citizen 

What you can expect from the program:

• NJDP Athletes will have access to USA Curling’s sports performance training app that is managed by USA Curling’s Sports Performance Team. Workouts are tailored to progressing on-ice results.  
• Curling consultation with National Junior Development Coach, Mike Peplinski (October-end of April) including virtual instruction and feedback.
• Access to a six-part webinar series that includes guest speakers and open discussion.
• Athletes enrolled in the program receive access to a six-part webinar series that is hosted on the first Wednesday of each month. Each session will dive deeper into a topic related to being competitive on the ice and will host a variety of guest speakers who are subject matter experts.  A few examples include sport psychology, team dynamics, fundamentals of delivery, learning to win, basics of shot execution, practice planning, etc.  
• NJDP athletes have the opportunity to meet virtually to explore topics related to sports performance in a small-group networking environment.  
• Access to modules that highlight the importance of sport psychology and include at-home mental practices that are vital for competitive athletes. 

This program is put on by the USA Curling Association.  

Mike Peplinksi and Jessica Schultz run the program.