We had to make a move. My dd is also a level nine. My daughter was very clear with me that the previous gym and the head coach there were not providing her with the working environment or results that she was looking for. There was a basic and fundamental difference in philosophy.
My daughter and I did sit down with the owner and coach and my dd was very clear about her reservations about the program and what her goals were. We were gracious and complementary to the best of our ability, but when we left the meeting my dd was very adamant that it was time to go and now.
There was definitely a clarity that came from the meeting and I was able to tell them that we were going to plan on exploring other options, which did make things easier when talking to other gyms.
Things happened much more quickly than we expected, but it was worth all the scariness and stress for sure. She is much happier and in a WAY better gym now. She is supported and trained and her talent is nurtured in all the ways she needs.
There is way more to it than just results (although results are important to) and what a program looks like on the outside may not be what it actually is on the inside and programs change and ones that used to work don't now and kids change and grow up and what once worked for them may not anymore.
At this point in their careers I think they tend to know what they need pretty well. This is where I would start. What are her goals? What does she need from a coach? Does she feel it is possible at current gym? At new gym? What do you know about new coach? Do you have any avenues to find out more about new program and coach? Make lists, have multiple discussions, make her think deeply about this. It can be scary for them to think about all this but at this level this really needs to be their decision unless there is abuse or an unhealthy environment that as a parent you need to protect her from.
Then I think you end up in three scenarios...
1. You know for sure you want to leave and you set it up with the new gym.
2. You are pretty sure you want to leave but feel you owe it to current gym to talk to them first. Set a meeting.
3. You really want to try to work it out with current gym before making a decision. Set a meeting.
Unfortunately, in any of these circumstances you need to be prepared for current gym to ask you to leave. It may or may not happen, but you need to be prepared.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your decision and keep us posted!
