Elite/Pro Athlete Application
⭐️ 2024 Winter Residency is FULL. Spring Residency limited availability . ⭐️
We accept applications from professional (salaried UCI team athletes) or elite (non-salaried/high-level amateur) cyclists in road, track, mountain, BMX & cyclocross for three-month residency terms at Homestretch Foundation. Runners, triathletes and other athletes may apply for vacancies around the schedule of cycling residencies. Athletes may apply at any time throughout the year, but we encourage athletes to apply early. Selection for Winter and Spring Residencies begins in October and decisions are finalized November 1st. (Waitlist opportunities may arise). For 2023/2024, athlete residencies will run from December 5, 2023 through June 1, 2024.
The following candidates may apply for special one-month residencies:
- Homestretch Alumni - December through May
- Collegiate Athletes - May only
We prioritize the selection of UCI team athletes and those who seek 3 month residencies.
⭐️ ✅ ALL RESIDENTS MUST BE VACCINATED ✅ ⭐️
Please read our FAQ section first and then apply online below.
The Homestretch Foundation FAQs:
I’m a professional or elite athlete interested in staying at The Homestretch Foundation. How exactly does it work? Is there an age requirement?
Very simple: You submit an application for residency, and if you meet our resident criteria and are accepted, our house is your house. We want you to be able to focus on your sport and reach your goals, regardless of your background, socioeconomic status or personal financial situation. Our communal living program is designed to help you train, recover, and focus on achieving your goals. Each resident-athlete must be willing to accommodate a roommate when we're at full capacity.
While your residency is rent-free, we ask each resident-athlete to donate at least two hours per week to our community. You can be a volunteer, be an educator or activist in any field that suits your interest. We love El Grupo Youth Cycling, Felicia’s Farm, Ben’s Bells and more!
We accept resident-athletes ages 21 and up. However, in very select circumstances, we may consider 19 and 20-year-old elite cyclists who have "aged up" from the junior ranks and are contracted with pro/elite teams. We do not house junior cyclists (18 & under).
How do you select Homestretch Foundation residents? Is it for women only?
First, we thoroughly review each athlete's application and resume and assess their application based on several criteria, including: income level, financial status and need, personal goals (including athletic, educational and career goals), and general background. If an application and resume are consistent with our criteria for potential resident-athletes, and our dates/availability match, we then set up an interview by phone, video or in-person. We then make a decision as to whether we can offer residency to a prospective athlete. We absolutely love, appreciate and value diversity. We have accepted resident-athletes from a wide variety of personal backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and countries. We do, however, screen our athletes first based on their socioeconomic circumstances and financial situation/need. Our priority in the ranking of resident-athletes is as follows:
1) Professional athletes 2) Elites 3) Post-Juniors (19-20yo elites) 4) Male athletes
We also prioritize our available residencies for female applicants, given the gender pay gap and the significantly limited professional compensation opportunities for women as compared to their male counterparts. We do, however, consider male applicants if our residency schedule permits, depending on their income, financial and professional contract status. To date, we have hosted seven male athletes at Homestretch Foundation.
What is the average age range of Homestretch Foundation residents?
We have hosted pro/elite women ages 19 to 41. We've also hosted male pro/elites between ages 23 to 38. We love seeing pro athletes thrive at every age!
How long may pro/elite athletes stay?
Our minimum stay for residents is three months. Our maximum stay is six months. If you are not a U.S. resident, you must have a visa that allows you to stay for the appropriate duration. We do allow special circumstances for alumni residents. We also have two spots available for a “Summer Caretaker Residency” from June through August.
Homestretch completed five seasons. Who have you helped so far?
We're proud to share that our first eight years were/are quite successful! From UCI teams, national teams, international pro athletes and regional elites, we assisted:
97 pro/elite athletes: 90 women, 7 men
18 countries: USA, CAN, MEX, BRA, BER, SCT, GBR, AUT, NED, SWE, SUI, DEN, GER, GUA, AFG, AUS, KEN, NZL
5 different sports: Road cycling, track cycling, mountain bike, cyclocross, triathlon
6 Olympians: USA and CAN
2 Camps/Teams renting Homestretch in the off-season: Triathlon & Cycling
1 mission: Together we all move forward.
What do I need to bring with me?
We supply all basic home needs, including bedding, towels, kitchen supplies, etc. We have bike pumps, stationary trainers, standard bike tools, yoga mats, blocks and foam rollers. (We get it. We're athletes, too. We know what you need.) Each bedroom has a closet and/or drawer space for your clothes and personal needs. As in any home, we ask you to keep your personal space and shared spaces tidy.
Is there wireless available?
Yes. But you still have to talk to other people in the house.
Does everyone train together and eat meals together?
Yes and no. Each athlete is here to work toward their goals in sport (and life), and follow their own training plan. However, many of our residents end up heading out on workouts together, or at least roll together for a while before going their own route/workout. We ask all our alumni residents to help show our new residents around Tucson bike routes when they first arrive. Between the many athletes residing at the house and the many popular group rides throughout Tucson, no one at the Homestretch will ever feel "alone on the bike."
As for meals, athletes are responsible for their own food. Most athletes combine their cooking/dining experiences, and we ask all athletes to sit at the community table during meal times and chat with each other. (Netflix can wait.) Yay togetherness. We even have an official cookbook that celebrates it all... Fresh from the Homestretch.
Please note: We prioritize the importance of healthy relationships with food at Homestretch. Especially in an influential, communal environment. Athletes struggling with eating disorders (and/or undiagnosed disordered eating patterns) are not permitted as residents. We very rarely encounter this dilemma, but we have sent athletes home before. We feel it’s important to address the topic up front for all prospective applicants. Homestretch is a safe haven for mental health and physical wellness.
Is there a "house mom" on the premises?
There is no official "dorm parent" or "house mom" looking after our residents. Everyone of our resident-athletes at the Homestretch is a grown-up and expected to act like one. Our CEO and Founder, Kathryn, lives next door and she is there for all Homestretch residents in case of emergency. But it is up to each resident to live as a responsible adult/member of our community, and to take care of our home as if it were their own.
I do/don’t have a car. How does that work?
We have parking available. If you don’t have a vehicle, not to worry. We are walking distance from the local shopping center, and we have commuter bikes available so you can easily fetch your groceries, pharmacy needs, coffee, etc. For other excursions, taxis and Lyft/Uber can get you where you need to go.
As a cyclist, how close are we to great riding/training routes?
About 10 feet. Outside our front door is some of the best cycling in Arizona. Mt. Lemmon, Saguaro East Monument, Colossal Cave, Redington Pass and Sonoita all begin with just one traffic light in your path.
As a triathlete or runner, am I able to access swimming and running easily?
Yes. There are community lap pools within 3 miles of the house. Nearby gyms & country clubs like L.A. Fitness & La Mariposa also offer a pool with their short-term memberships. CrossFit FIXX assists our athletes with gym needs. Running… we’ve got that too. Broadway Trails and Redington Pass hills are within 6 miles, and local neighborhoods and streets offer good options right outside our front door.
If I'm not a pro cyclist/triathlete/runner, but I'm a female pro athlete in another sport, may I still apply for residency?
Yes. We're happy to hear your story and how being part of the Homestretch Foundation might help you thrive.
REMINDER: We respond to all applicants within 10 days. Don’t see a response? BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER! 😉