Here, our typical competition season is August - December for compulsories. The optionals compete in the Spring, and some of those meets are invitationals that include compulsories. These Spring meets are not part of our normal season, but our gym gives gymnasts the option of doing them for fun, if they want. If ready, they can even compete at the next level up in the Spring.
Anyway, my daughter and her buddy decided they wanted to try a couple of these Spring meets. They competed up a level, and to my shock did well. This is my concern (names changed):
After the second meet, my daughter's coach tells me that since Amy and Betsy both competed well, are near the same age (7), that they will be "pitted against" one another. In other words, the coach wants to intentionally create rivalry between the girls. The girls are currently the best of friends.
After practice, I hear our coach talking to Cathy and her mom. Cathy is beginning her second year at this level. The coach tells Cathy's mom that Amy and Betsy have already scored better in every event than Cathy did in her whole first season. Cathy is going to need lots of private lessons if she wants to compete with them.
I've already expressed my opinion that I do not like the idea of a created rivalry between Amy and Betsy. The other child's parents also do not like the idea.
Further, it just seems like I read so many complaints here about other gym parents watching their kid, comparing scores, feeling the need to take weekly privates to get ahead. I know that the coaches tend to think all of the gym parents are crazy, but I'm begining to wonder if the gym made the parents crazy.
Am I being too sensitive? I'm thinking that this type of rivalry will be bad, but maybe it's a normal thing?
Anyway, my daughter and her buddy decided they wanted to try a couple of these Spring meets. They competed up a level, and to my shock did well. This is my concern (names changed):
After the second meet, my daughter's coach tells me that since Amy and Betsy both competed well, are near the same age (7), that they will be "pitted against" one another. In other words, the coach wants to intentionally create rivalry between the girls. The girls are currently the best of friends.
After practice, I hear our coach talking to Cathy and her mom. Cathy is beginning her second year at this level. The coach tells Cathy's mom that Amy and Betsy have already scored better in every event than Cathy did in her whole first season. Cathy is going to need lots of private lessons if she wants to compete with them.
I've already expressed my opinion that I do not like the idea of a created rivalry between Amy and Betsy. The other child's parents also do not like the idea.
Further, it just seems like I read so many complaints here about other gym parents watching their kid, comparing scores, feeling the need to take weekly privates to get ahead. I know that the coaches tend to think all of the gym parents are crazy, but I'm begining to wonder if the gym made the parents crazy.
Am I being too sensitive? I'm thinking that this type of rivalry will be bad, but maybe it's a normal thing?