My daughter just turned 9 and has started pre-team at her current gym where she has been in rec and advanced rec classes for the last 3 years. The competitive sector at this gym has been full for the past 2 years and they weren’t bringing in any new gymnasts. They started auditions again in September, but only in the younger age groups (going up to 6 years old). There are a handful of gymnasts that were spotted for their potential, including my daughter, but that are now too « old » to get into the competitive sector through the usual path (its a little different here, in Canada, not the US program).
So, my daughter and most of her friends have joined a new program this year at the same gym that work through levels 1 to 3, but they kept this program in the rec sector and only train 2X/week for a total of 4h/week. I’m happy she gets to opportunity to train more seriously, but they really went back to basics and she lost a few of her more advanced skills (and developped some fears). Since she was in rec, she changed coaches every 4 months and has started with a new coach this fall that did not previously know my daughter. I feel that my daughter is having more difficulty developping a trusting relationship with this coach, and she felt really less motivated not being able to keep practicing all her skills. For the past 2-3 weeks, it has been better I must say and she was able to set some goals for herself which is helping.
That being said, she asked to check out the other gym in our area that offers a competitive program. It is much smaller, same distance from home. They train 1 hour more a week and their levels 1-3 are included in team. She has an « audition » friday night. They are very welcoming and inclusive, but foremost, their gymnasts seem really happy.
This gym has only a regional program, but I feel with only 4 hours/week training, she won’t be able to make it in the provincial program anyway at her current gym. She will be the one to make her decision, and we will be happy to encourage her in this change if it’s what she wants.
Getting to the actual question!
What are some questions to ask the gym’s owner and head coach? In your experience, what will they be looking for in this evaluation? Any red flags to look out for on our part?
She is nervous and wants to show her skills so she has been practicing like crazy all weekend and weeknights. Tips to help her be less anxious?
Thank you very much for your input
So, my daughter and most of her friends have joined a new program this year at the same gym that work through levels 1 to 3, but they kept this program in the rec sector and only train 2X/week for a total of 4h/week. I’m happy she gets to opportunity to train more seriously, but they really went back to basics and she lost a few of her more advanced skills (and developped some fears). Since she was in rec, she changed coaches every 4 months and has started with a new coach this fall that did not previously know my daughter. I feel that my daughter is having more difficulty developping a trusting relationship with this coach, and she felt really less motivated not being able to keep practicing all her skills. For the past 2-3 weeks, it has been better I must say and she was able to set some goals for herself which is helping.
That being said, she asked to check out the other gym in our area that offers a competitive program. It is much smaller, same distance from home. They train 1 hour more a week and their levels 1-3 are included in team. She has an « audition » friday night. They are very welcoming and inclusive, but foremost, their gymnasts seem really happy.
This gym has only a regional program, but I feel with only 4 hours/week training, she won’t be able to make it in the provincial program anyway at her current gym. She will be the one to make her decision, and we will be happy to encourage her in this change if it’s what she wants.
Getting to the actual question!
What are some questions to ask the gym’s owner and head coach? In your experience, what will they be looking for in this evaluation? Any red flags to look out for on our part?
She is nervous and wants to show her skills so she has been practicing like crazy all weekend and weeknights. Tips to help her be less anxious?
Thank you very much for your input
