NFC

Nexus Championship

Each June, selected U-14 Girls athletes and U-16 and U-19 Girls Regional Teams from across the United States compete in the Nexus Championship (NXC). Known as the premier championship event in USA Field Hockey's Olympic Development Pathway program Nexus, the NXC consists of the top 12 percent of athletes from across the nation in the U-14, U-16 and U-19 Girls age groups and is highly attended by college coaches, recruiters and USA Field Hockey High Performance staff.

Previously known as the National Futures Championship, this annual tournament is known for producing some of the best up and coming talent in the United States, athletes in each age division have the chance to be selected by USA Field Hockey Junior High Performance selectors to the Stars and Stripes Elite Game, an elite all-star exhibition game featuring top players from around the country. Participating U-16 NFC athletes also have the opportunity to be selected to one of eight squads that will participate in the annual AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Dates, Locations & Age Divisions

Typical Dates:

End of June

Locations:

2023: Virginia Beach, Va.
2022: Virginia Beach, Va.
2021: Virginia Beach, Va.
2020: Virginia Beach, Va. - this event did not take place due to COVID-19
2019: Lancaster, Pa.
2018: Lancaster, Pa.
2017: Lancaster, Pa.
2016: Lancaster, Pa.
2015: Lancaster, Pa.
2014: Lancaster, Pa.
2013: Virginia Beach, Va.
2012: Virginia Beach, Va.
2011: Virginia Beach, Va.
2009: Virginia Beach, Va.
2008: Virginia Beach, Va.
2007: Virginia Beach, Va.
2006: Virginia Beach, Va.
2005: Virginia Beach, Va.
2004: Virginia Beach, Va.
2003: Virginia Beach, Va.
2002: Virginia Beach, Va.

Participating Age Division:

U-14 Girls
U-16 Girls
U-18 Girls
U-21 Girls

History & Sponsors

History:

The National Futures Tournament started in 1991, in conjunction with the program Futures.
In 2007, the Regional Rumble was added to offer a new national-level competition for Futures athletes. The Rumble provided a showcase for athletes to display their skills in front of the traditional gallery of coaches.
The name changed from National Futures Tournament to National Futures Championship
In 2011, USA Field Hockey announced a new mixed-team structure for the NFC.
In 2012, Futures Elite Academies were added which was designed and comprised of top Futures Elite athletes as well as U.S. U-17 and U-19 Women's National Team athletes and replaced Junior High Performance Centers. The purpose of the Academies was to offer a training environment that parallels the U.S. Women's National Team's, with athletes receiving close instruction from top level coaches on field hockey, leadership development, nutrition and mental preparation. The culmination of the Futures Elite Academies was the Futures Elite Championship that was held in conjunction with the National Futures Championship.
In 2016, USA Field Hockey announced an evolution of Futures by introduction Regional Training Camps (RTC) for U-16 Girls and U-19 Girls athletes.The RTC allow for more team building with a focus on refined tactical skill development.
In 2016, the Stars and Stripes Elite Games which are comprised of the top 68 athletes in each of the U-16 Girls and U-19 Girls age groups and the top 34 athletes in the U-14 Girls age group. The game, which showcases the athletes in the same manner as the former Future Elite Championship, falls on the final day of each age group of the NFC. Approximately 50 percent of the U-16 Girls and U-19 Girls “Stars and Stripes Elite” athletes move on to Junior National Camp.
In 2016, the Futures Elite program phased out.
In 2020, this event did not take place due to COVID-19.
In 2021, the name changed from National Futures Championship to Nexus Championship.
In 2022, the U-16 Girls division was divided into two competitive groups: U-16 Girls - athletes with a birth year of 2007 and U-16 Rise Girls - athlete with a birth year of 2006.
In 2023, the age divisions shifted to align with the Junior U.S. National Teams and international competition. They were the U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-21 for both men and women.

Sponsors:

Osaka Hockey, presenting sponsor, December 2021 - 2024
Harrow Sports, presenting sponsor, 2013 - November 2021
Citi, title sponsor, 2016 - 2018
YOLO Sportswear, presenting sponsor, 2010 - 2012
Longstreth, presenting sponsor, 2007 - 2009

USA Field Hockey

Nexus Championship

Dates, Locations & Age Divisions

History & Sponsors

Past Winners

2021 National Futures Championship Images