Any other cheer moms out there? Looking for advice

[Wendy]

I'm really stressing about this, probably more than I should, but I can't decide what gym to send my kids to next season. Here's the scenario. I have 2 boys (5 & 7 years old), both involved in competitive all-star cheerleading. They were recruited by coach "A" last spring when one of his staff happened to notice them in their gymnastics class at the gym. About a month after coach "A" convinced them to join the squad, he abruptly left that gym to open his own gym and took all his staff with him. We elected to stay at the gym until they found a new cheer director.

Enter coach "B," the new cheer director. My kids love him! He is a really, really fun coach and never loses sight of the fact that it's all supposed to be fun for the kids. When coach "A" left, all the kids that had cheered there the previous year left and either went with him or moved to other gyms. When tryouts came around in April, this left Coach B with kids that had NEVER cheered before.

Both kids started out on a PeeWee team, but my 7 year old quickly got moved up to the Elementary team because of his skill level. He's the youngest one on that team. This team competes in a division that does not allow any tumbling, because only 2 kids on the squad can tumble. DS had his standing back handspring down and was very close to getting his round-off flip-flop down before the coach decided to put them in this lower division. Since then, he hasn't had much incentive to tumble and has lost his standing back handspring. Luckily, the coach asked him before Christmas to do individuals, so he's back to working seriously on his tumbling.

Now, if all the same kids were going to be together again next year on his team, I would not even consider changing teams. They've all made a TON of progress this year and I would expect that to continue next year. However, at least 2/3 of the team will be moved up because they'll be too old to compete in the elementary division next year. That will only leave a few kids on the elementary team. The coach has said that because DS is so young, he won't move him up to the Jr Prep team. (even though he's better than the kids that will be forced to move up due to age)

My concern is that DS will end up on a team again next year with a bunch of kids that are brand new to cheerleading. I don't want him back at square one and working on skills he's already mastered while they have to teach them to the new kids. Also, I have a bad feeling that once again they'll end up competing in a division that does not allow tumbling. On the other hand, he'd definitely be the leader of that squad and get the front position in all their routines, I'm sure.

Do I start looking for another gym with a bigger program? One of the gyms I would look at is extremely good, in fact they were featured on ESPN last week. I know they have several elementary squads, so he could be placed according to his skill level. However, it is a huge gym and he would go from being one of the best on his squad, to probably getting lost in the crowd. (at least that's my concern)

I really, really like the coaches and parents where we are now, but I know if we stay, there's just not going to be the opportunities for him that he'd have at a larger gym. He also loves his current coaches and squad. (Plus, it's close to the house and he already has the uniform, warm-ups, cheer bag, etc!)

So, any words of advice?

 

[snoopy]

Geez, cheerleading has come a looooooong way since I was a cheerleader back in the dark ages. When I was a cheerleader, if you could do a carthweel and the splits you were good.

No real advice, but you might try PMing LisaTX, Wendy. I know her daughter has been involved in competitive cheerleading for quite a while, and I believe Lisa is very involved from a parent standpoint. She might be able to give you sound advice.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Hi Wendy,

I would move my child!! Only becuase he/she would be held back from reaching his/her potential!

I changed DD's allstar program. This is her 2nd year with this gym and she is far exceeding her own expectations. She loves the intense workouts and the thrill of learning a new skill or tumbling pass. She just about has her backhandspring full twist and is hoping to do it in competion this season!!

Do you live near Cheer Athletics?? They are unbelievably awesome.

We will be competing in Dallas on Feb. 15-16 at eh Convention Center. My DD's team is competing in the Sr. Prep division. The gym is East Elite out of Wilmington MA. Their website is: eastelite.com

Wishing you and your son's the best.

cheerfully..............

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am not a cheer mom but it does sound like your ds will do a repeat of last year and that is not fair to do that to him.
Good Luck

 

[mickeyfan1]

I am not a cheer mom either, but if you keep him with the same coach and gym, wouldn't it encourage him to become more of a leader, beings that he will have more experience than the new kids on the squad? If I were in your place, I would leave him there and urge him to keep up the hard work, and help the kids who will need it.

 

[Wendy]

Originally posted by snoopy
Geez, cheerleading has come a looooooong way since I was a cheerleader back in the dark ages. When I was a cheerleader, if you could do a carthweel and the splits you were good.

Snoopy, isn't that the truth!!! I was never a cheerleader, but I was just flabergasted whne they first started at the differences between cheerleading now and when I was in school.

Thanks for all the opinions. I'm just so unsure what to do. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to both sides. I could leave him where he is where he'll be encouraged to become more of a leader and be the star of the team, or I can take him to a different gym where he'll be challenged more and learn more, but definitely be mediocre compared to the rest of the kids. Ack!!!

In any case, I do think I'll start talking with the other gyms to get a better feel for their programs and see if any of them might be someplace where he'd be happy.

 

[rbuzzotta]

It's a tough decision Wendy, but by talking to the other gyms, you can definetly get a feel for the atmosphere your son will be involved in (and you).

Cheerleading is no longer rah rah rah, shish, coom bah!! All Star cheerleaders are so physically fit nowadays. It is amazing to watch them (and scarey at times).

My DD loves it and has given up all other sports to stay in this program.

Hopefully we'll see you in Dallas Wendy!!

Good luck. By the way, what does your son think? Does he have any opinionns either way??

 

[Michelle]

What does your son want to do? I think I'd factor that in to the decision as well, even though he is young. If he really wants to be challenged in the new program I would let him, but if he's happy where he is I'd keep him in the same gym.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Wendy]

DS really wants to be on a squad where he'll be able to tumble and doesn't like the thought of being on a squad where he'll be with a bunch of kids just learning what a High V is or a toe-touch. However, he really, really hates to leave his current gym because he's so happy there. The latest is he wants to go to a different gym next year for the cheerleading, but stay where he is for tumbling classes. Of course, this could change at any moment.

I will definitely let you know if we'll be in Dallas!