Advise on DD2 - confidence on attending clubs

[CeciCC]

Hi all, I think I need some advice on how to deal with my DD2 not wanting to go to clubs where she won't know anyone. DD2, 10, is very sporty, and will have a go to all the sports. Last year, she did Hockey at school, and as per her words.. she loved it. She did sailing as well, and loved it too. Now, if I tell her to joint a hockey club, she won't just because she doesn't know anyone there. She had been asking to do more sailing, but when I told her, we will go and ask the sailing club, she then decides that she might not want to do sailing after all. She doesn't not have any friendship problem at her school. She is well liked by all the girls and gets invited to all the birthday parties. I know she is just 10, but next year she will move to secondary school, which will have as many kids in her year as kids are now in the whole of her primary school!! I don't want her not to join clubs in the school as she won't know who will be there. Any advice on what could I do a part of forcing her to joint clubs? TIA

I don't think children should ever be FORCED in such situations. Could cause resentment and trauma. Actively ENCOURAGED, and reassured, yes.

Hi, I know forcing her is not good.... it wouldn't have work for me when I was her age... I just would like to know what other parents have done to encourage their son/daughter in this situation.

I have the same DC1 will join any sport club, but DC2 is very shy and worries a lot about whether she will be any good. We have an agreement that for a healthy body it's good to be active and do sports. So, she can pick any sport she wants to try, but she has to do one. And once she's agreed to it then she's made a commitment and she has to go each week.

It's not forcing her, but I have older nieces and I see the pressure on them to be a particular shape, and that it's not cool to like exercise etc. so I feel that while DD is young it's important to make sport a normal part of her life. Then when she's older I hope that will have established a relationship with being healthy and strong which she will continue.

She does sport... she does gymnastics one day a week... but if I ask her to do another day, well.. she is not sure. She plays football as well during break time at school, so she does like sports, and she is good when she tries them. At school she is always in the A team for all the sports that they have competitions. The problem is, doing any of the sports outside school. I think the best would be to forget any more clubs for a while..
Thanks for the replies

You could always ask the clubs if they have taster sessions. That way she could try one or two out, see how much she likes them, if she knows anyone, or if she makes friends.