This isn't actually gymnastics, but you lot are the only ones I can think of to sound this out on...
DD has been offered a place on an elite training scheme. The plan is to have her competing nationally/internationally in 4 or 5 years. Top international coach, top club, and I have no doubt they mean what they say.
But she has to cut back on gymnastics. There simply aren't enough hours in the day. She is in a very good club, although it is small, but they have produced one or two junior elites recently. She will cut her hours from 15 to 11 a week. Currently she is 9, competing around (US old) level 5/6, and is strong on bars, but weak on flexibility. I have asked the coach what her ultimate aspirations might be, but haven't had a direct answer, perhaps understandably. It has taken her a lot of work and commitment to get this far, and isn't even very successful in regional competitions. She's not even close to the elite pathway kids her age.
WWYD if it was your DD or DS?
I don't know what my actual point is, for some reason I'm just not sure about this. People say we should grab the opportunity offered, and I do agree (and DD wants to do whichever sport takes her furthest, ultimately, so it should be a no brainer even though she loves gym). Will she lose skills or fall drastically behind cutting her hours? Her club is very good with progressions, and everything is mapped out for her peer group. There is no other club around quite the same standard,, but I don't know whether it might be more beneficial to see if there's a lower hour program somewhere....
Although if the other sport takes off she may have to drop gym altogether in a year or so..
DD has been offered a place on an elite training scheme. The plan is to have her competing nationally/internationally in 4 or 5 years. Top international coach, top club, and I have no doubt they mean what they say.
But she has to cut back on gymnastics. There simply aren't enough hours in the day. She is in a very good club, although it is small, but they have produced one or two junior elites recently. She will cut her hours from 15 to 11 a week. Currently she is 9, competing around (US old) level 5/6, and is strong on bars, but weak on flexibility. I have asked the coach what her ultimate aspirations might be, but haven't had a direct answer, perhaps understandably. It has taken her a lot of work and commitment to get this far, and isn't even very successful in regional competitions. She's not even close to the elite pathway kids her age.
WWYD if it was your DD or DS?
I don't know what my actual point is, for some reason I'm just not sure about this. People say we should grab the opportunity offered, and I do agree (and DD wants to do whichever sport takes her furthest, ultimately, so it should be a no brainer even though she loves gym). Will she lose skills or fall drastically behind cutting her hours? Her club is very good with progressions, and everything is mapped out for her peer group. There is no other club around quite the same standard,, but I don't know whether it might be more beneficial to see if there's a lower hour program somewhere....
Although if the other sport takes off she may have to drop gym altogether in a year or so..