Question for All? Do you think a 'No Dating' rule should apply to non-competitive gymnasts?

[maybabytumbler]

Hey Everyone!
Ok so at my gym we've all been allowed to date as long as it didn't conflict with regular practices. Now, my coaches have changed the rules to no dating AT ALL even for the non-competitive gymnasts (I'm competitive). A lot of parents are complaining about it but we (the gymnasts) aren't sure if it's fair or not.
What are your thoughts?

[tumblebug921]

well, i think that is pretty stupid and controlling to tell the team they can't date anyone at all, even if it doesn't interfere with workouts. i think that decision should be left up to the gymnast and her parents, not the coaches at the gym. i'm currently talking to a guy and dated a guy last year and i've had no problems. it actually would make me work harder sometimes when my boyfriend would come watch me at the gym because i didnt wanna look like an idiot.. haha
but gymnastics is not a lifetime sport that you can do till you die, but dating could help you find the person you spend your future with.. i mean how else are you gonna find out what kind of qualities you look for in a spouse if you never date anyone? yeah, i have a busy practice schedule, but i make time after workouts to hang out with guys, or hangout on the weekends or invite him to church or something.

[CoachTodd]

Uhmmm, I don't have anything to do with my gymnasts' personal lives. I leave that up the their parents.

[NotAMom]

The no dating rule is stupid. As long as the kid is mature enough (mentally and emotionally) and it is not a distraction, what business is that of the coaches and the gym. If it doesn't make sense to have a high school or college student not to date, why does it make more sense at the gym?

With that being said, if it's my daughters we're talking about, the no-dating rule definitely applies for any age and under any condition until I say otherwise.

[BarCoach]

It sounds like they want the gym to be like The Rock in Make it or Break it. I don't think the coaches can really control that. And if they try, they'll just have gymnasts and parents resenting the rule and doing it behind their backs anyway. I'd rather they just understand that it can not interfere with their gymnastics. I enjoy hearing about my gymnasts personal lives. I feel closer to them as people, and I'm glad they feel they can trust me enough to tell me things.

[gym monkeys mom]

Yeah I agree with others that is a family parent decision NOT a coach decision.

I love our coaches but the bottom line is still I and my husband are the parents of our gymnast. we will decide as a fmaily when dating is ok not be told by our coach.

Our team coaches would never step over this boundary with our kids and I would be overly concerned if they tried to.

There are a lot of different coaches in the world and this i am glad for. Unfortuanltey there are some bad ones also and this would be a huge red flag to me that something is wrong.

IMHO

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Originally Posted by maybabytumbler

Hey Everyone!
Ok so at my gym we've all been allowed to date as long as it didn't conflict with regular practices. Now, my coaches have changed the rules to no dating AT ALL even for the non-competitive gymnasts (I'm competitive). A lot of parents are complaining about it but we (the gymnasts) aren't sure if it's fair or not.
What are your thoughts?

I'm sorry, but... who the heck do those coaches think they are? It doesn't matter whether you're competitive or not; your personal life is none of your coaches' business.

[CoachGoofy]

If my gymnasts choose to date, and their parents are ok with it, and they can manage everything, more power to them. It's not my place to tell them they can't. I'm their coach, and while I'm a trusted adult in their lives, that doesn't make me a controller. Their gymnastics is my job. Their personal lives are between them, their families, and whoever they're getting personal with.

[Obeg]

Is this gym in China or Romania?

[dunno]

lol^^^truly this rule is whacked. i've been around awhile and this is a 1st. never ceases to amaze me what might come next from the gymnastics community.