OwlGalLiz
Proud Parent
I understand completely. We went through similar with my DS. Sometimes even though you like the owner and the staff, it just may not be the right "fit" for competition. We went through several gyms finding the right one for our son- we had narrowed it down to two, then the HC of one went an started a new gym that opened last week. The new gym is actually the best fit for DS (he is on preteam, turns six in Dec and will compete next season). Ironically, in the past week he has been asked to be on one of the other preteams and to be evaluated at the other for their preteam for this summer. The first one we started at though, had we stayed there he would still be rec and not considered for team. We utilize their open gyms and parents night outs, but are confident we made the right decision with the new gym. We love the staff of the gym he started at two years ago, but they just saw him as a rec kid (though the owner and one of the boys coaches saw potential in him, they never did anything about it). Also, we have found with some gyms that the rec and team programs rarely communicate with each other or don't very well. Some however are excellent in communicating and watching rec for team potential. As was said to us by some other gym parents, you are your child's best advocate- and sometimes you need to get in there and ask. Not be pushy, but make sure the coaches are aware of your child's intentions, wants and desires. Good luck!