Parents Competition and level requirements

[futureOlympian]

Has anyone ever had their coaches require a letter be signed two weeks before the first meet stating, if by the a week after the second meet, they aren’t competing all four events they will be moved down a level? Subsequently ending their season since it’s difficult to change levels and get registered. As well, require the letter be signed in order to compete the first meet?

 

[GymnastMomX2]

While we don’t have anything like what you stated in our contract, I have seen our coaches very occasionally move girls down a level after a meet or two (also had some move up mid season, again it’s rare). Never been an issue switching the level as far as I know.

 

[ORgymmom]

Our gym sets levels ~4 months before the season. If you don’t have the skills for the level you’re training, you compete down a level/repeat what you did the previous season. If you get to meet season and have lost skills, then you scratch events. Depending on how long the scratches persist during the season, you repeat the level the next season regardless of what additional skills you acquire in the off-season. The only part that’s in the contract is something about levels never being guaranteed and always being subject to current performance and coaches’ discretion.

 

[Dahlialover]

That is bizarre. Level assignments are always worked out before the last date to change registrations. Typically, it’s all finalized before our mock meet, which happens 1 month before our first real meet. Did you sign a contract when you paid your meet fees? Was this stipulation included in your contract? Will the fees for the meets your child is being barred from attending be refunded?

Honestly, these people are making it clear that they are not the kind of people you want to do business with. They don’t care about your child’s experience and they are taking your money for a service they are not providing. Finish out the season as best you can and find a new gym.