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Extra-curricular activities

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

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Original poster

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

63 replies

isthisanacidtest · 21/07/2014 20:20

Like today. She was supposed to be tidying up and hoovering but disappeared off to train all day and hasn't come home yet.

She is dedicated. I'm very proud of her. But ....

the early starts

the mountains of food

the constant kit to wash

the running here there and everywhere

the whole family getting put on hold to the god of sport

Sometimes it just gets a bit depressing and hard work. For me, not her! She loves it

OP posts:

Maryz · 22/07/2014 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bowlersarm · 22/07/2014 16:50

It's the nerves with me.

DS is in a highly competitive sport, well I suppose they all are by definition, and is always being watched, judged, compared. It's great when his confidence is high, but if he's low on confidence or injured, there are so many boys lining up to take his place. Very stressful.

Great when it's all going well though.

Maryz · 22/07/2014 16:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

uggmum · 22/07/2014 17:01

My ds is a tumbler. He trains really hard. Lots of running to warm up and conditioning.

4 sessions a week from 3-4 hours each session. It is intensive. Luckily I only have a 20-25 minute drive each way.

He competes and is currently British Champion at his age and level. He is 11.

I am concerned about the transition to secondary school as there will be more homework and a longer school day. He obtained some good SATS results this year. But secondary school is more intensive.

Original poster

isthisanacidtest · 22/07/2014 18:01

DD went for a run today. Then her mate phoned and they gathered up a few of them to make enough and decided to have an impromptu training session.

I suppose she could be doing worse.

So there is more kit to wash. I have soda crystals and vinegar.

OP posts:

Original poster

isthisanacidtest · 22/07/2014 18:03

And sometimes DD does training in the morning before school for the school team, training after school for the school team which runs on into training for the junior squad then ladies training. She gets home at half ten at night.

OP posts:

Eve · 22/07/2014 18:08

Try adding horses into the mix!'

Bowlersarm · 22/07/2014 18:25

Much more expensive for a start, Eve, I'd imagine.

YellowStripe · 22/07/2014 18:30

Ooo Uggmum - there's a tumbler starting at the school where I work, in September .... wonder if it's your DS?!

Maryz · 22/07/2014 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

uggmum · 22/07/2014 21:01

You never know Yellowstripe. We are in Yorkshire.

sixlive · 22/07/2014 21:52

The kit, worrying if they have eaten enough/right stuff stuff, worrying if they will get injured/end up in a&e, watching them compete is so nerve wracking, trying to balance school/sport/other interests. A lot of worrying and expense but quite a few proud moments.

YellowStripe · 23/07/2014 07:55

Ah no, Midlands here, Uggmum.

KatyMac · 24/07/2014 21:29

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

Original poster

isthisanacidtest · 24/07/2014 21:37

KatyMac I hear you!

DD has been at some sort of training every day this week. More training tonight and she's staying at a friend's and guess what? Training tomorrow. Training Saturday almost 2 hours away and a practice match, then Sunday "off" and then it all begins again....

OP posts:

Maryz · 24/07/2014 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatyMac · 24/07/2014 22:04

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'

Original poster

isthisanacidtest · 27/07/2014 20:17

Katy that's a lot!

We have had lots of training last week (good weather so they were training outside) and then training yesterday and there's training all day Tuesday and Thursday night (I think!) and training next weekend. Plus the Monday and Tuesday of the following week she's training 2 hours away.

I have kit hung up to dry. WHY does it all have to be horrid nylon lycra stuff that can't go in the tumbler??!!!

OP posts:

KatyMac · 27/07/2014 20:43

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

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

Muddiboots · 27/07/2014 20:54

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....)

3littlefrogs · 27/07/2014 21:05

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.

SquirrelledAway · 06/08/2014 12:34

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?

KatyMac · 06/08/2014 18:24

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

3littlefrogs · 06/08/2014 19:29

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

dizzyday07 · 07/08/2014 17:59

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 :(

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