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[FFSenoughofthis]

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!

You are right, Katy.

Unfortunately, there are not many clubs in our area, and those that there are have massive waiting lists. Just wondering, would a 'community' club be more welcoming than others without the word community in the name?

The thing that grates a bit with me is that our club tells the girls that "hard work" makes all the difference. It doesn't here. Or maybe hard work just means different things to different people.

Our club has one olympian medal winner and several GB team members, I think it is quite welcoming, however, and they seem to have different pathways. Not so much for the older novice wanting to compete as with some other clubs.
What they do seem to have in common is very long waiting lists. Its was over two years last I heard. They now have annual trials, also, so as not to miss anybody with potential.

Whilst waiting for a place, you could try trampolining clubs (for some reason places seem to be more available, though this might only be my area), or tumbling clubs. Failing that try the dance schools for their acro (dance acro), gymnastic dance grades and limbering/stretch classes.

OP, yes agree ballet is similar with the body type thing, possibly worse actually.

Thanks lyrical.

DD tried trampolining last year, gymnastics and a bit of tumbling, all in in the same council-run club (and on the same day!), after months in the waiting list. The club seemed good and has national trampolining champions but DD wasn't keen on trampolining, I think it was all the waiting around.

She used to do ballet when she was little and then street dance, but we stopped those as well because ALL she wanted to do was gynmastics. She has been talking about wanting to go back to dance classes though, I may look into ballet classes around here. But ultimately, her heart in in gymnastics. She'd rather do gym twice a week than one gym and one dance.

My daughter is saying that she wants a gymnastics mat for Christmas, but having looked on Amazon & eBay there are so many to choose from ranging from 6ft - 10ft and £20 - £100+! Any suggestions as to what size & make would be best?