The Elite Development Club (EDC) Program is intended to support USATF's efforts to develop nationally and internationally competitive athletes by increasing and enhancing the number of year-round training environments available to post-scholastic and post-collegiate U.S. athletes. By increasing the total number of talented high school and college athletes who continue their serious competitive involvement in the sport following graduation, we enlarge the talent pool from which our future stars can emerge. The "Elite Development Club" designation identifies clubs with the commitment, resources, and record of providing significant assistance to these athletes, thereby making it easier for the athletes to continue high-level, competitive involvement in our sports.
At the same time, the "Elite Development Club" designation is intended to enhance the ability of Elite Development Clubs to marshal community and corporate support for the task of furthering the development of some of the most talented and dedicated post-scholastic and post-collegiate athletes in their geographic areas. Clubs are encouraged to use the EDC designation to recruit athletes, coaches, volunteers, and other community and corporate support that can help them support their open-athlete development programs.