Too harsh?

[Aussie_coach]

That is an absolutely terrible way to treat a child, it is not normal behavior from an adult and I would definitely be looking elsewhere. If this is the way they treat crying, then I would be worried about the way they treat other situations too.

Crying is not horrible, and it is a normal part of life and sports. If a kid cries it doesn't mean they have no self control or are immature, it means they really care about their sport. If a kid cries out of frustration they do it only because they are very determined and want to succeed, kids who don't care, don't cry.

 

[jenniffir]

seriously...tard head?? c'mon, how old is the coach? 9??

You know, sometimes its hard to tell. We think he around 40 based on the size of his gut

 

[CoachGoofy]

seriously...tard head?? c'mon, how old is the coach? 9??

Ehhh I'm in my 20s and a whole lot of people in my general age grouping seem to find that to be a truly creative use of language and the height of hilarity.

It's depressing when I think about it.

 

[bogwoppit]

You know, sometimes its hard to tell. We think he around 40 based on the size of his gut

BWahahaha!!!

 

[gymjoy]

Thank you for all that have responded. The answers to some of your questions are that she is 11, and hormones are a changing. She is not really young, but to me it doesnt matter. She has always been one of the kids in the gym who is hard working, never giving the coaches a problem. The coach in question is also one of the owners of the gym. This is not the first time there has been a problem. In the past when it is addressed the parents have generally been told that the kids are lying. All in all, I know that the answer is to go elsewhere. I just wasnt sure if this was more prevelant in competitive sports than I had known. I will be making those calls today!

While this coaches behavior is reprehensible no matter what the age of the child, to do this to an 11yo girl who's hormones are getting going, who is probably questioning her self-worth (as so many do @this age), and trying to discover her place in this crazy world - is twice as bad in my book.

 

[sportzmomov3]

It doesn't matter how old the child is, nor what the circumstances were that prompted the coach's response. This is, as others have already pointed out, bullying. I totally get that coaches get frustrated by their athletes for a variety of reasons - they're only human, but never is it acceptable to name call or humiliate (publicly or one-on-one) another human being.

To make myself feel better, I would confront the coach/owner. To make my DD feel better, we'd be at another gym already.

 

[Azgymmiemom]

Oh yeah...I'd be in this coaches face and asking, do you think I pay you this much money to degrade my child? I don't think so...and you better have a good explanation for your behaviour...I am listening. And if I didn't get sincere apologies, I would tell them I am taking my child...and my money...elsewhere! Poor little girl! ( and 11 is STILL little in my opinion) Give her big hugs!!!

Can't believe some adults act like that!!!