For context we’re in the U.K. She loves gymnastics and started toddler classes at 18 months old at the only other local (but non-competitive) gym. In September she switched to the competitive gym, just before turning 5 in December. I would have switched her sooner due to issues with the first gym, but didn’t know the competitive gym even existed as they don’t advertise.
Found out this week she hasn’t been picked for the new pre-squad. The staff admitted the biggest factor in deciding was age (all the chosen ones are 3-4, with the exception of a 6 year old). Their skill levels are similar to my daughters (very low level, not graded), though being a little older my daughter is better at listening and staying focused during class, also she always wants to be there whereas the little ones regularly don’t and will act out.
It just seems a shame that it seems my daughter’s chances of competing are effectively over at age just 5. I don’t mean to sounds dramatic, but obviously the plan is that the pre-squad will feed into the older competitive squad. They will have extra training sessions and my daughter will never be able to keep up while just doing recreational gym classes. Even if I put her in extra rec classes, they’re shorter and obviously different, and won’t have the same outcome. Also their strong focus on age makes me think her chances are pretty much over already, even if she were to make huge improvements.
I accept their decision, I’m not going to demand she be let in, but is there anything I can do to give her a chance in the future? As I said, this is the only competitive gym in my area so we can’t switch. Due to personal circumstances we cannot move areas either. I’m also limited in what I can personally do to help as I know little about gymnastics (though I’m willing to learn).
I do plan to talk to the gym about this, but obviously want to be careful about how I come across, so any advice about how to approach them would be appreciated too. I don’t want drama, I just want to understand what I can do to help my daughter achieve what she wants.
Found out this week she hasn’t been picked for the new pre-squad. The staff admitted the biggest factor in deciding was age (all the chosen ones are 3-4, with the exception of a 6 year old). Their skill levels are similar to my daughters (very low level, not graded), though being a little older my daughter is better at listening and staying focused during class, also she always wants to be there whereas the little ones regularly don’t and will act out.
It just seems a shame that it seems my daughter’s chances of competing are effectively over at age just 5. I don’t mean to sounds dramatic, but obviously the plan is that the pre-squad will feed into the older competitive squad. They will have extra training sessions and my daughter will never be able to keep up while just doing recreational gym classes. Even if I put her in extra rec classes, they’re shorter and obviously different, and won’t have the same outcome. Also their strong focus on age makes me think her chances are pretty much over already, even if she were to make huge improvements.
I accept their decision, I’m not going to demand she be let in, but is there anything I can do to give her a chance in the future? As I said, this is the only competitive gym in my area so we can’t switch. Due to personal circumstances we cannot move areas either. I’m also limited in what I can personally do to help as I know little about gymnastics (though I’m willing to learn).
I do plan to talk to the gym about this, but obviously want to be careful about how I come across, so any advice about how to approach them would be appreciated too. I don’t want drama, I just want to understand what I can do to help my daughter achieve what she wants.