All-Star Releasing Athletes

[CheerMomNTx]

Yeah, I was joking. I always roll my eyes at cheer contracts. But I really don't have a problem with having to get released for Worlds. It's not like you have no other options, you just can't compete at Worlds.

Yes I know you were joking!

 

[Klynn641]

I think that's why I've changed my stance. I've seen so much of this "you can be replaced at any moment" mentality, I just don't get why it's all up to the gym. This rule needs to go both ways. I'd say over the 2-3 years we've had it, many gyms have clearly demonstrated that it isn't working the way it is written. I like the spirit of the rule - but it needs to apply to both sides. If you want to leave your gym, you need a release. If you want to replace me with another athlete, I need to sign something saying I'm releasing my spot. Add a disclaimer that if kid quits the gym or has a season ending injury, that's considered releasing their spot.

Gym owners are really overstepping their boundaries these days - you don't own these kids. For the millionth time...we are paying you, not vice versa.

Gym owners/coaches: If you want a kid to stay, stop screaming in their faces that they can be replaced in minutes. And if you do feel that way... WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL IF THEY LEAVE? You just said you could replace any one of them with the throngs of kids waiting to take their place. So.... do it.

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I see a few problems with not releasing an athlete.

It leaves a gym with an unhappy athlete that can create disruption and discontent among both athletes and parents. In addition, the gym has the right to refuse to release an athlete but they can't make that athlete continue to work hard, attend practices, have a good attitude etc. So, you will likely still have to fill their position on the team, rework the routine etc. And the gym risks looking petty. What is the benefit of not releasing an athlete ? The team likely still loses an athlete. All you're doing by not releasing the athlete is preventing the athlete from performing that season. Consider a scenario where the gym refuses to release an athlete, so they remain at the gym. The athlete remains on the team. Time for Worlds arrives. Your team performs but the bitter athlete gets on stage and then refuses to do anything. Now, that would require someone to be very conniving and it's not likely to occur, but it could. Your refusal to release has just backfired. Is it all really worth it ?

What if the athlete wants released because they are being bullied at the gym and miserable. The gym claims they're doing everything possible to prevent it, but it continues. This is the athletes last year to attend Worlds. Why shouldn't the athlete get released ?

These are just examples of course. But, why can't releases be handled on a case by case basis ? Most gyms are classy. However, It seems that some gyms are using the release as a license to strong arm athletes. Why would a gym want to keep an athlete that doesn't want to be there ? Maybe that says something about the gym itself, and why the athlete wants to leave to begin with. Cheer has become big business and the athletes their asset. They don't want their asset walking out the door, I get that. If an athlete wants released then they're already out the door even if you are able to require them to physically remain.



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[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Maybe cheer gyms should start chargind early termination fees

This is a real thing.

We talked about it in the same thread in which we were discussing tryout fees.

There are gyms who require you to pay a "buyout" fee to leave your contract.

 

[Emily]

I do believe financial obligation (bills must be current to date of athlete leaving) is a valid reason to not release an athlete. Can you imagine how many would try skipping out this way just too move on?

USA Hockey requires an athlete to have a release from their current or last program before they can play for a different organization regardless of when it occurs. During the season or between seasons, doesn't matter. All that the release states is that the athlete is in good financial standing as of the date signed. I have no issue with that. Unlike the usasf though USA hockey does have an appeal process.

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I would actually love to know why there isn't an appeal-process in place right now.
As of right now, if I were/had a worlds-eligible athlete I would have the gym owner sign the release before Nov. 1st even if I had zero intention of leaving. Yes, usually I know what I get into before November, but there are rare cases where things happen during the season that make me want to leave the gym after that date. Better be safe than sorry.

 

[mollymags]

I would actually love to know why there isn't an appeal-process in place right now.
As of right now, if I were/had a worlds-eligible athlete I would have the gym owner sign the release before Nov. 1st even if I had zero intention of leaving. Yes, usually I know what I get into before November, but there are rare cases where things happen during the season that make me want to leave the gym after that date. Better be safe than sorry.

I'm guessing there's no appeals process because there's not enough bodies at the USASF office to handle it. They barely kept up with athlete ID requirements this year. Hopefully the athlete membership fee will fund more jobs so stuff like that can be an option.


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[Mom Jeans]

This is a real thing.

We talked about it in the same thread in which we were discussing tryout fees.

There are gyms who require you to pay a "buyout" fee to leave your contract.

It's the norm in California

 

[AllstarObsession]

It's the norm in California

My last gym had an early termination fee that increased as the season progressed. At the end of the season it was somewhere around $500

 

[Klynn641]

The gym we're at has a buyout fee ($500 I believe) regardless of your level. Unless it's due to medical reasons of course.


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[Rudags]

But do you think it's ok to replace an athlete on a team they helped earn a bid on? If the cheerleb of the week wants a spot on your team, do you follow all these steps for the athlete whose spot is being taken?

Since I know you personally, I'd hazard a guess that yes, YOU do (or would if the situation presented itself). I'm also going to hazard a guess that most wouldn't. Most would pull the athlete right away. (And sadly these are usually the same people that would not, under any circumstances, sign a release if that same athlete CHOSE to leave.)

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Yes. We actually replaced an athlete on Tuesday this week. This athlete happened to be replaced by an athlete who came in to our program a month ago. Tons of talent and the new athlete worked to get conditioned and ready to compete. Replaced athlete was not throwing skills required. Replaced athlete quit. By replaced, I mean the athlete was an alternate. We also have other alternates on the team. (3 total to be exact, three now since they quit). Every single alternate has competed on the mat with the team when we got our Partial Paid and when we got our Full Paid. I teach the kids about accountability and keeping their skills up to par. We made it clear at the beginning of the year there would be alternates on the team and the 'Best 19' will always be on the mat. The best 19 have rotated all year long. As we prep for Worlds, we replaced an athlete Tuesday and if need be, we will replace an athlete tomorrow if need be. Point is, its the best our program has looked and our kids are eager. Its a great competitive environment. If an alternate wanted a release form a week before Worlds, and AGAIN, sat down in a professional setting stating why, etc. - I would probably give it.

 

[cheernerd5678]

@Rudags saw your teams at Mardi Gras two weeks ago, and yes, you guys do look great! Good luck at worlds!


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[AScheer]

That seriously would not surprise me one bit if that happened or is already happening.

I know of some that are trying / have tried to force this. It's a real thing, that apparently isn't working out to well for the gym doing it. The law doesn't necessarily side with a gym forcing you to pay for services not or yet to be received. Messy. I say if someone doesn't want to be there, let them go. It's truly best for everyone. If someone is miserable you're not going to get what you need out of them, and they're going to make everyone else miserable too.


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[AScheer]

In response to appeals, I think that would get messy and be impossible. You would never know the truth. If an athlete wants a release and the reason behind it isn't a reason that should grant one, all they would have to say is I feel I'm being bullied there and poof release granted. The appeal process will be a waste bc anyone wanting one could get one. There are two parties in that situation (gym & athlete) both have their own version of the truth. Neither truth is completely right or wrong, how in the world could the USASF fully understand the situation when they're never going to get the full truth.


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[Emily]

In response to appeals, I think that would get messy and be impossible. You would never know the truth. If an athlete wants a release and the reason behind it isn't a reason that should grant one, all they would have to say is I feel I'm being bullied there and poof release granted. The appeal process will be a waste bc anyone wanting one could get one. There are two parties in that situation (gym & athlete) both have their own version of the truth. Neither truth is completely right or wrong, how in the world could the USASF fully understand the situation when they're never going to get the full truth.


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Why would an appeals-process be impossible? Make very clear rules when a release can be denied (for example when money is still owed), and then an appeals-process is very possible. The problem is, right now it is up to the gym owner if or for what reason they sign/don't sign the release. As of right now you could even be denied a release if you moved too far away to attend practices anymore.

 

[CheerBank]

Yes. We actually replaced an athlete on Tuesday this week. This athlete happened to be replaced by an athlete who came in to our program a month ago. Tons of talent and the new athlete worked to get conditioned and ready to compete. Replaced athlete was not throwing skills required. Replaced athlete quit. By replaced, I mean the athlete was an alternate. We also have other alternates on the team. (3 total to be exact, three now since they quit). Every single alternate has competed on the mat with the team when we got our Partial Paid and when we got our Full Paid. I teach the kids about accountability and keeping their skills up to par. We made it clear at the beginning of the year there would be alternates on the team and the 'Best 19' will always be on the mat. The best 19 have rotated all year long. As we prep for Worlds, we replaced an athlete Tuesday and if need be, we will replace an athlete tomorrow if need be. Point is, its the best our program has looked and our kids are eager. Its a great competitive environment. If an alternate wanted a release form a week before Worlds, and AGAIN, sat down in a professional setting stating why, etc. - I would probably give it.

Out of pure curiosity, I have a couple of questions that I realize you are not under any obligation to answer.
Has this always been your program's policy in regards to alternates?
Are your alternates also on another (non-Worlds) team in the gym?
Was the new athlete from a previous program who had released him/her?
If you did not have this other athlete join your program a month ago, do you think you would have used one of your other alternates and pulled the one who was not throwing the skills required?

 

[MaineStar234]

Yes. We actually replaced an athlete on Tuesday this week. This athlete happened to be replaced by an athlete who came in to our program a month ago. Tons of talent and the new athlete worked to get conditioned and ready to compete. Replaced athlete was not throwing skills required. Replaced athlete quit. By replaced, I mean the athlete was an alternate. We also have other alternates on the team. (3 total to be exact, three now since they quit). Every single alternate has competed on the mat with the team when we got our Partial Paid and when we got our Full Paid. I teach the kids about accountability and keeping their skills up to par. We made it clear at the beginning of the year there would be alternates on the team and the 'Best 19' will always be on the mat. The best 19 have rotated all year long. As we prep for Worlds, we replaced an athlete Tuesday and if need be, we will replace an athlete tomorrow if need be. Point is, its the best our program has looked and our kids are eager. Its a great competitive environment. If an alternate wanted a release form a week before Worlds, and AGAIN, sat down in a professional setting stating why, etc. - I would probably give it.

If you have 3 alternates that all have been "good enough" to compete on the team at some point this year, why only use 19? Why not put the best 20 athletes on the floor?


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