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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Gym mums

29 replies

FFSenoughofthis · 06/05/2017 20:09

A question for those those kids do club/squad gymnastics. At what stage were they selected? And we're you initially approached by the coaches?

DD has recently moved to a new place, to the untrained eye she seems to be a "natural". She's in an advanced class, but is desperate to do competitions. Would I seem a twat if I approached the coach and said she was interested in doing more and asking if they thought she was capable? I kinda assumed if they thought she had potential they'd approach me. That said though, her last place was useless so I never know what to do!

OP posts:
stickygotstuck · 07/05/2017 23:25

Watching with interest op. DD is in the exact situation.
A word of warning. DD said she'd like to do more too and when I asked her coach (saying almost exactly what you plan to say) she did not even let me finish the sentence. She said that she wasn't going to move her up because I asked. I didn't. She just didn't listen. Bloody annoying and thinking of removing DD from club. So just be aware of that as a possibility.

Original poster
FFSenoughofthis · 07/05/2017 09:07

She's 7, which is what's making me think more about it as I think she'd more than likely be "past it" very soon. I very much doubt she'd be up for or talented enough for elite type training, but would defo be up for at least 1 more session a week.

She does 1.5 hrs a week in a group that is a step up from the Rec classes, but don't do any competitions. They do seem to have lots of different pathways, including the kids that do over 30 hours a week!

I might give her a prod to ask her coach, might sound better coming from her haha!

OP posts:
TheForgetfulCat · 07/05/2017 08:21

How old is she? They do tend to pick them out quite young. Do you think she would be up for dozens of hours a week, or just more than she's doing and the opportunity to compete?

I don't think you would be wrong to ask for a chat with the coaches - you've phrased it very sensibly as 'my DD seems capable and would love to do more'. I suspect they'd only get annoyed if you approached it as 'why are you overlooking my DD who is clearly the next Ellie Downie' Smile

I have a DD who has talent and enthusiasm but isn't good enough to be picked for a serious development squad. What has worked really well for her is joining a big club that has lots of different pathways in between the one hour recreational and the terrifying elite pathway. She has done a few local competitions and recently been performing with the clubs display team. You might find that your DDs new club has similar options which they can advise you about.

lyricaldancer · 06/05/2017 20:23

How old is she? What's the name of the advanced class she's in? How many hours?
I'm asking because the type of class may be an indicator as to what 'track' she's on a present.

We received a letter from the coaches, and were asked to attend a meeting with other parents, initially.

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