Keep your eyes wide open as you go about gym hunting. You're suffering from lack of communication....and that may draw you to program that can "talk the talk" to the extent that the HC and owners resemble "snake oil" carney vendors more than they do coaches. Don't get me wrong.......I think communication is important, but if I had to choose, I'd go with clubs that can "walk the walk".
The thing is, there's not an awful lot to talk about if things are going well. Personally, I enjoy talking with parents, but have found that when I stop to talk to one......the rest kinda edge in a little closer. When they finally get to talk to the oracle (me), I get a sense that they edged in to have a chance at a social chat and get a little info about next year and beyond, so that ended years ago.
Now, when I get the chance at a gym I drop into occassionally, I'll visit with an old buddy from the glory days, offer up some perspective, and chat with a few familiar parents on the way out. It seems that most of them want to know a little more about the sport, what to expect at the next level, what it takes to get to the next level. I always answer that one...hard work and believing in themselves and even more in the coaches.
I answer that way because it's true, and it's about the only thing in the sport that isn't different from one child to the next. For the rest of the questions, I don't answer them directly....only in generalities, and let them know that their child is the only one who can answer the question, because the children are the variable....one that changes frequently. The reality is there are few answers......conjecture sure, lots of it, but you can't make plans based upon conjecture that is based upon the work, desire, energy, and distractions that affect every child and can change at any moment.
Not trying to blame you for feeling left out of the loop, but there isn't that much that goes on beyond Suzie gets to the gym, works hard, and goes home a little stronger....repeat....repeat...repeat. If there are pressing needs to be discussed, and please keep in mind that some of these kids can talk a blue streak to their coaches about what they need, and you ask to speak to anybody who can make sure the coach knows what's going on, it'll get passed on to the right person.
Sadly this gym world is not usually a have your cake and eat it proposition. The majority of the better clubs dedicate all their into the quality of their instruction, and cut every corner possible to offer a little more out on the gym floor. So make sure you know what you want....is it neccessary for your daughters safety or your family to function smoothly, because if it isn't, and you move gym's based on "customer care" that targets parents vs. kids, you'll find 3 years down the road that the income derived from that customer care was the reason for the customer care, and while your daughter seems happy......she's slowly losing any chance of pursuing reasonable goals being realised by kids at other gyms in town.
You just can't have it both ways.......well not usually.
