Thanks for your thoughts on this. I guess I should explain why I asked. We already drive an hour to a gym (really small gym) once a week. In our small town, there is no gymnastics at all. The gym we go to does not train in the JO levels after L2. They only do prep-op. I wouldn't even be considering this if I didn't think she had amazing potential to go far. I realize that there are many kids with amazing talent out there, but if she doesn't even get the opportunity, how will we know? I'm not saying that we are going to do this, I really just wondered if anyone had ever had to deal with something like this. I really hate being put in this situation because I feel like she might one day wonder why we didn't give her the chance to go somewhere with gymnastics. Also, I think about my boys, and if they had some incredible gift/talent, would we do everything we could to help them succeed (even if it meant moving)? I really don't know what to do. We can totally give up gymnastics (because I can't imagine paying that much money just to do prep-op), or we try to move to where she can actually train. The closest places are about a 3 hour drive away from our home now, so there would be no commuting----we would definitely have to move. So maybe this little bit of info will help some of you understand where I'm coming from. Thanks again!
lagymmom
Hey lagymmom. That is a difficult situation. There are a few options short of moving in my experience. I will cover all the ones I know and maybe you can investigate some of these:
-Is there a high school in the area with a program? They may have equipment and a coach who knows about gymnastics (or maybe not lol). If there is one anywhere within your radius, perhaps this person would be willing to work with your dd. It is unusual but not unheard of. Also if there is a university anywhere in the area with either an NCAA or club team, there might be an opportunity there. Universities that maintain gym facilities usually have small youth programs, and some club teams (NAIGC) open their practices to members of the community (including youth), and there might be an older experienced gymnast who could work with her.
Harder, but possible:
-nonprofit, parent owned, parent operated gyms. There are definitely examples of this and from what I've been hearing over the last few years, it's a growing trend (a very small growing trend, but nonetheless). There must be others in communities within an hour of you interested in gymnastics at various levels too. Like any nonprofit, you would have to get initial funding before tuition could take over, but proving the marginal benefit to society of such a program in a time of growing obesity and inactivity concerns wouldn't be too bad. If there is a YMCA in the area, perhaps interested parties could approach them. There are many YMCA gymnastics teams. Here are some links to such nonprofit gyms, perhaps you could contact them and see if they can advise you on the feasibility of such a task in your area:
http://www.kokokahigymnastics.com/index.html
http://www.spiralsgymnastics.org/AboutUs.html
http://www.teamcentral.org/id17.htm
Some areas have gyms as part of their county parks and recreation services. These gyms sometimes have to trade off; the county may limit the hours the team can practice for instance, but some have successful optional teams. Perhaps there is a possibility of this.
I wouldn't move until push comes to shove and you're out of options though (and she's exhausted the current gym). There is a chance your current gym could attract new coaching and expand their program, for instance. If there are other parents facing this dilemma, maybe they can get together and push for that. Perhaps the program has just existed as it is because there's been a presumed lack of interest in expanded programs. Or maybe no one currently wants to work the JO optional track, but if you express interest, perhaps they may be willing to do that for your dd when the time comes. But gymnastics is a very fickle sport...if the benefits of moving for your entire family work out, then I think it's reasonable to seriously consider it. But if apart from this issue, everything is good now and you really like where you live, I think it would be difficult to in good faith suggest anything other than the sheer numbers: it is a low percentage that even makes it through the compulsory levels, probably 10% or less of girls who start competitive, although I don't know offhand. So while I think you could start making plans for this being a possibility in the future, I would wait until you hit the wall before you really do it.
As far as never knowing, I see a direct correlation in time spent in gymnastics and disappointment when it ends prematurely due to circumstances not working out...the longer you're in this the more disappointment it's going to be if it's a strain on the family and doesn't work out. Right now her attention could probably be diverted to another activity that she can be just as promising in if she's generally athletic. 25 hours a week of training down the road, when you're in middle and high school and haven't tried other sports, this gets harder. That doesn't mean it isn't worth it, but it's something to consider.
. She has also been injured for over a year on and off. Both my girls are very happy in their gym. My 8 year old is also one of the best her age in our small club, but she is nothing compared to many of the 5/6 year olds on this board.
