Flossyduck
Proud Parent
- Feb 2, 2012
- 936
- 744
Ok. I've been picking up on a few threads recently about advantages and disadvantages of long hours at a young age, not the least I Wanna Coach's comments about it being possible to make it to elite and national team in the states whilst still training compulsories at 12.
My other half and I have spent a lot of time thinking over the summer and wondering whether it is really necessary for dd to be pushed and put so much time in. She just turned 9 and currently trains 'elite'.
We've watched friends drop out of the elite track and seem happy, either in other sports or on fewer hours. She's had two minor injury issues - dorsal wrist displacement and a mild ankle sprain. Both healed fine and pretty quickly, but the timing of both was unfortunate because the pressure is on them to be ready at a certain time. The age groups comps are one chance a year and you have to be on it on that day. She didn't make nationals and that never goes down well.
They've changed the UK system, so that the whole 'in age' thing is less of an issue. I think most elite clubs will still go that route for the added kudos. But is there another practical reason why they should, now it isn't a requirement? Otherwise I don't get what the motivation is?
We hear all the time "it's not a sprint, it's a marathon". So if that is the case then why are they racing young girls to a certain point (this is mostly a UK issue) and abiding by a system which favours those who show early promise over longevity?
dd wants to make national team. I can see that there are a couple of girls in her group who are on a roll right now and they stand a good chance of making the GB age group squad this year, fingers crossed. Assuming there are at least a couple in every other elite club, well the maths don't add up well for dd at the moment. BUT she is 9 and the momentum ebbs and flows and she has lovely form and I'm really not worried.
If we pull dd out of a couple of sessions a week and take a step back, what harm will that do? I'm so tempted to do that. I just don't get the hurry and I don't understand the drive to remain 'in age' when it no longer matters. I feel very conflicted at the moment, because there are mixed messages and I feel we could get it so wrong because of that.
My other half and I have spent a lot of time thinking over the summer and wondering whether it is really necessary for dd to be pushed and put so much time in. She just turned 9 and currently trains 'elite'.
We've watched friends drop out of the elite track and seem happy, either in other sports or on fewer hours. She's had two minor injury issues - dorsal wrist displacement and a mild ankle sprain. Both healed fine and pretty quickly, but the timing of both was unfortunate because the pressure is on them to be ready at a certain time. The age groups comps are one chance a year and you have to be on it on that day. She didn't make nationals and that never goes down well.
They've changed the UK system, so that the whole 'in age' thing is less of an issue. I think most elite clubs will still go that route for the added kudos. But is there another practical reason why they should, now it isn't a requirement? Otherwise I don't get what the motivation is?
We hear all the time "it's not a sprint, it's a marathon". So if that is the case then why are they racing young girls to a certain point (this is mostly a UK issue) and abiding by a system which favours those who show early promise over longevity?
dd wants to make national team. I can see that there are a couple of girls in her group who are on a roll right now and they stand a good chance of making the GB age group squad this year, fingers crossed. Assuming there are at least a couple in every other elite club, well the maths don't add up well for dd at the moment. BUT she is 9 and the momentum ebbs and flows and she has lovely form and I'm really not worried.
If we pull dd out of a couple of sessions a week and take a step back, what harm will that do? I'm so tempted to do that. I just don't get the hurry and I don't understand the drive to remain 'in age' when it no longer matters. I feel very conflicted at the moment, because there are mixed messages and I feel we could get it so wrong because of that.