I'm in a sporting club, have been going for a while and whilst I hate blowing my own trumpet, I've come on a lot and have been praised for being pretty decent! All the group got praise though. It was very fair!
A friend (not that close, just know her through kids etc) started coming and at first that was great. I was very encouraging, offered lifts etc. I like to see other women improve.
But certain dynamics have developed that are getting to me. She flirts mercilessly with the coach. Every class is filled with sexual innuendo. Funny occasionally in certain contexts but it's a bit much. They're both married!
That I could ignore but they've started arranging things that I feel out of the loop with. I have to 'butt in' and say hey I'd like to go to that or be involved with that.
Coach now openly praises her and well the rest of us are ignored.
I hope I don't sound like a jealous teenager. There are people in the class better than me who I respect and admire. They strive me to do better. I used to get praise as I said and that helped build my confidence.
But now it's all about her. Maybe they fancy each other, maybe they're already shagging each other. I don't give a shit about that (well apart from feeling sorry for their spouses) what bothers me is that it's changed the fair and equal dynamic of the group. Maybe I'll leave and find another one.