wcdad
Cheer Parent
- Dec 15, 2009
- 1,222
- 1,282
This isn't related to World's sportsmanship specifically, but I have had more than my fill of encounters with bad sportsmanship. My team would do a random draw and do a gift basket or goody bag for 3 teams every competition in hopes of spreading good sportsmanship and bonding with other teams in the industry. We would fill it with candy and every squad member had to make a spirit filled good luck card in that squad's colors. Some of my kids would make HUGE cards and some small and everything was in the team's colors we were giving it to. They LOVED doing it.
We have had mixed reactions to it. Most team's just politely said "thank you". Some team's didn't say anything and just stared at us like we were idiots.
One team (who lived in the city closest to us) their coaches gave it back to us and said they didn't wish to accept it. Then they went back over to their team and they kept laughing at us and giving us nasty looks. That same team won the Sportsmanship award at that competition (Cheer Power Northeast Nationals), which was absurd!
Despite this occurring, it still didn't damper our Spirits because at that same competition we were approached by a coach who was in tears because she was so touched by our gift for the squad. She made each squad member thank us individually. She then went on to say that they are a fairly new squad and don't really know any other teams and haven't been treated very well by some competitors. It really made their day that we did that. They even sat on the side and cheered us on during our performance, and we did the same for them.
We continued the tradition every year until I closed, but we never received another reaction such as we did from that team that was so appreciative. I wish more coaches would make Good Sportsmanship a priority and not gossip or add to the problem. I guess some people never grow up and will always turn their nose up at others. I feel sad for them. What a pathetic life they must lead.
Were your teams in Atlanta for Cheersport? If so I have pictures of your team giving Gymtyme a large basket and card in the Gyms room. We could not thank your girls enough.