MILgymFAM
Proud Parent
So DD (13) really wants to switch to JO next year and petition into optionals. She got this idea from her old coach who had full faith and confidence in her, and saw tons of potential. Right now she is xcel gold, and started gym last year (she did xcel bronze). Her new xcel coach believes it totally possible for her also.
Tonight, however, I had occasion to speak with the JO program coordinator for our gym over a non-gym subject, and we ended up talking about DD. Long story short, she said at this gym, and probably in this whole area, DD would NEVER make it onto a JO team- that no one would even let her try out. She is too old, she said, period. Apparently they are not interested in outliers at all, and would never allow an age gap in practice groups. She said my DD is plenty strong and most of her flexibility is there (she has knees that do not go straight and need to work on over stretching in pike). She is the most motivated kid in the world..
My heart broke a little that even if she works hard and gets her level 6/7 skills by next year- working only two days a week at that- she will still likely have her heart broken.
My only hope is that when we move in a year or two our new duty station is somewhere that is a little more open minded about this. I know she is never going to be top of the levels and so does DD, but she really hoped to get to level 8 or 9 by graduation. I am just deflated a little tonight and wanted I get it out.
Tonight, however, I had occasion to speak with the JO program coordinator for our gym over a non-gym subject, and we ended up talking about DD. Long story short, she said at this gym, and probably in this whole area, DD would NEVER make it onto a JO team- that no one would even let her try out. She is too old, she said, period. Apparently they are not interested in outliers at all, and would never allow an age gap in practice groups. She said my DD is plenty strong and most of her flexibility is there (she has knees that do not go straight and need to work on over stretching in pike). She is the most motivated kid in the world..
My heart broke a little that even if she works hard and gets her level 6/7 skills by next year- working only two days a week at that- she will still likely have her heart broken.
My only hope is that when we move in a year or two our new duty station is somewhere that is a little more open minded about this. I know she is never going to be top of the levels and so does DD, but she really hoped to get to level 8 or 9 by graduation. I am just deflated a little tonight and wanted I get it out.