Does anyone else have a child who competes at a high level in a sport? I'd like a general moaning thread!!

Would LOVE to know how this level of training panned out. (As I'm increasing DS level and quality of coach for his sport atm)

?

ds is one of the best for his age in the country for his sport. He's only six but trains 7 hours a week plus competitions. He also does two other sports once and twice a week respectively at a much lower level (I think this slice of variety is important at his age!)
It's crazy and if it continues as he gets older there will be many more hours If he keeps enjoying it and wants to make it to the top (at the moment he really does and is stupidly keen and dedicated for his age!)

Depressed Mom my 16 year old DS now swims 6 times a week, which was cut down from 9 two hourly sessions a week when we moved club. Add in land training / gym sessions and he's training for a couple of hours every day.

my 8yr old dd competes in martial arts and has her first competition abroad next month. Due to her age I will be travelling with her and dh will need to take time off to look after other dd. I had to renew both our passports too, so will be expensive. She is so passionate about it and trains so hard I can't say no.

Oh what have I let myself in for in the future. DS is only 8 , this summer he has raced once a week ( typically an 80 min drive each way) and trained once a week. Distances vary as some training is done from home.

He has had a good season and is 3rd. Ranked in the region with the two lads ahead of him both in national top 10 ranking. When. He raced outside our region he wiped the floor with the boy who is 13th nationally. I think we have a very fast group of boys round here.

Currently we find time for dance class weekly, and either cricket or swimming weekly and cubs. But something will have to give in a year or two if he keeps on doing well in races and starts going to national series events.

DD is away for a week and DH and I don't know what to do with all this time on our hands. Her stinking dance shoes have been aired on the washing line, the car hasn't run out of petrol, no books have been read (while sitting in the car waiting), etc, etc.

Ds does tennis and swimming at county level. He does two other sports but is going to have to drop them soon as he has tennis and swimming two and three times a week.

Grateful that ds' club has just been recognised for the quality of training they provide and that the fact it is a small club is a non issue. They do get some fabulous results with half the training schedule of some of the bigger clubs. I guess it really depends on the sport.

Today ds annouched he has big ambitions for GB level qualification. He is only just the standard for regionals. So basically we are about to start some serious hard work and trying to encourage him to increase fitness outside of his specific sport because it is tested at the trials. Something tells me there could be tears probably mine and tempers probably ds' over the next few months. At least he has a few years before his self imposed deadline. But still, I want to just shake him and say just enjoy yourself. you don't have to be the best of the best. It is just some fun.

But you need masses of swimmers coming into the sport at the bottom levels so that you can get the odd one or two elite swimmers that emerge at the top levels.

I also get the feeling that SASA just wants super clubs rather than the assortment of small, medium and large clubs that exist at the moment. It's an expensive enough sport as it is - I reckon we spend around £4k a year as it is.

The age change thing will be really tough on some swimmers as they will in effect miss an age group. DD turns 10 in Sept. but will need to have achieved an 11yr time by the end of Dec. for Counties in January!

Maybe they are trying to push standards higher by only the elite qualifying but it will force out of the sport a lot of swimmers who in effect make up the bulk of gala entries!

Yes - that is one of them.
They are also changing some of the competition rules/entry requirements.
I would have to go on the website to check, but they are also making it more difficult and expensive for coaches to qualify, but at the same time demanding more coaches, with more qualifications to accompany swimmers to assessments.

Basically it is getting harder and harder for small clubs run by volunteers to actually participate. I think eventually, if you want to compete, you will have to be able to afford to join a big club that pays its coaches. So you will have to be quite rich.

What are the latest ASA changes?

We have to deal with SASA, latest one is to make all nationals and district level meets age on 31st December rather than age on last day if competition - bit tough on anyone with a birthday late in the year.

The ASA seem hell bent on making things as difficult and inaccessible as possible.

DD has been swimming competitively for almost a year (she's 10 in Sept). She qualified for the Counties (in 1 event) this year but with the ASA changes I doubt she will next year.

She swims 3 sessions a week - only 1 early morning thank goodness - but once a month from Sept to July I spend hours sweating on poolside at galas.

Her Dad is not "into" swimming so has only been to see her swim three times and every time it's been under sufferance :(

To be fair, DD's school was very good about the nationals.

try it the other way

Special permission to wait in the school car park to collect at the end of the day
Dash off across the county to class
collect about 10
Arrive home after 11
Umm when do we do homework?

I'd like an early morning as a swop occasionally

Expensive kit.
Early mornings.
Expensive training camps.
Entire weekends dedicated to competitions which involves dragging Littley out with us too.
Early mornings.
Physio costs.
Food costs - I have to restock the fridge 3 times a week.
Early mornings.
The amount of "volunteering" that I have to do.

Oh, and did I mention the early mornings?

I think few of us realise when we first start our DC in sports/activities that it might possibly turn into a real commitment.

I have spent years supporting DD in her sport - she competes at national level.

What I have done is take on lots of voluntary roles in the club, I will be doing some training, and I do a huge amount to support all the kids.

I organise fundraising. I always offer to share transport with other parents, I also make the most of visiting new towns - if DD is training for 5 hours in a place i have never visited I use the time to explore the locality, find a local museum/pub etc.

I work, and I am a carer, but I try my best to get enjoyment out of DD's sport. She will be too old to do it soon enough, but she is keen to do some coaching.

I feel your pain, not so much high level but dedicated and with a horse so most weekends from spring onwards sees us driving up to seven hours with the horsebox on a friday evening/m25, and same back on sunday. Or training 90 mins away, outside in all weathers.
Plus there is the pony to look after for the rest of the time.
BUT I just grit my teeth and think I rather that than him being on the XBox (and there just might be a lot of parental drinking over the weekend....)

Yesterday's show went very well - there was a big crowd; but today's was less well attended. & she is at work now (to be collected at 10:30)

I've attached a photo from last night

DD has to finsih her Arts Award which is the equivalent of homework

I though with 2 end of term performances last weekend it was all over - but no there is still an exam & work & Arts Award & 'keeping in condition'

school has finished (well actually it finished weeks ago cos of GCSEs but if it had just finished) she did extra practise on Wednesday evening, worked on paperwork stuff all day today & due to tomorrow, a show on Saturday (so shopping for a new costume on Sat am), fete & 2 shows on Sunday plus work in the evening

I think the holidays might just be harder than term-time