Lately I’ve been suggesting my DD consider a gym change. She does not want to consider it. Loves her friends, HC and gym owner. I’m not certain the gym is the best fit for her anymore. So question: Do I push this with DD or let her make the call?
Now the background: I’ve watched my passionate, self driven DD become insecure and burned out. She’s 12 (will be 13 for next season) and competed L5 last season. She wasn’t top of the podium but was consistent 34 or 35 AA all season. Current gym competes both L5 and L6. As of this year, they want girls to have most L7 requirements to move from L5 to L6 (BWO-BHS on beam; giants; cast to near perfect handstand, Yurchenko vault entry). If they don’t start the fall with all skills, they stay at L5 all year. Period. While I am well aware that it’s their gym and their call, I struggle with this change. If they’d been brought up through the program with these expectations then it wouldn’t be so bad, but I don’t feel this shift is fair to the girls. As it stands 5 of the 8 old L5 group left the gym. My DD wanted to quit because she didn’t think she will get all of the skills but decided to stick it out through summer. She’s very clear that she WILL NOT repeat L5. She has or is close on most skills, but struggles with BHS on beam. It’s a shoulder issue and we’ve been to PT, chiro, etc. with little resolution. But can do dive cartwheels for flight skill. Now she’s back to quit or switch to xcel gold. I’ve talked to parents from other teams and stalked CB. I think she may meet requirements for L7 per USAG and definitely L6. I really don’t like the “you’re not good enough” message she’s getting from current gym because she is starting to believe it. I would rather her go somewhere, anywhere, that would be more mindful of what their attitude does to young ladies. The group coaches are really rude to the girls and the parents, and punished the girls when the parents spoke up (HC came to us to ask if we saw issues and we answered honestly; we didn’t run and complain). My thought is change gyms and see how it goes. Can’t imagine the frustration would be worse at another gym. My hope would be a more positive environment and return of self confidence in a new gym.
So, what do you think? Push DD or let her make the call? If I push, thoughts on approach?
Now the background: I’ve watched my passionate, self driven DD become insecure and burned out. She’s 12 (will be 13 for next season) and competed L5 last season. She wasn’t top of the podium but was consistent 34 or 35 AA all season. Current gym competes both L5 and L6. As of this year, they want girls to have most L7 requirements to move from L5 to L6 (BWO-BHS on beam; giants; cast to near perfect handstand, Yurchenko vault entry). If they don’t start the fall with all skills, they stay at L5 all year. Period. While I am well aware that it’s their gym and their call, I struggle with this change. If they’d been brought up through the program with these expectations then it wouldn’t be so bad, but I don’t feel this shift is fair to the girls. As it stands 5 of the 8 old L5 group left the gym. My DD wanted to quit because she didn’t think she will get all of the skills but decided to stick it out through summer. She’s very clear that she WILL NOT repeat L5. She has or is close on most skills, but struggles with BHS on beam. It’s a shoulder issue and we’ve been to PT, chiro, etc. with little resolution. But can do dive cartwheels for flight skill. Now she’s back to quit or switch to xcel gold. I’ve talked to parents from other teams and stalked CB. I think she may meet requirements for L7 per USAG and definitely L6. I really don’t like the “you’re not good enough” message she’s getting from current gym because she is starting to believe it. I would rather her go somewhere, anywhere, that would be more mindful of what their attitude does to young ladies. The group coaches are really rude to the girls and the parents, and punished the girls when the parents spoke up (HC came to us to ask if we saw issues and we answered honestly; we didn’t run and complain). My thought is change gyms and see how it goes. Can’t imagine the frustration would be worse at another gym. My hope would be a more positive environment and return of self confidence in a new gym.
So, what do you think? Push DD or let her make the call? If I push, thoughts on approach?
