All-Star Cheer Athletics (questions/rumors)

Texas Mom said:

In order for the athletes to wear as a team, then all are required to purchase whether it is yourself paying or you have to help pay for the people that did not pay.

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Have to help pay for those who don't....huh?

cheermomforever said:

Have to help pay for those who don't....huh?

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Team gifts have to go to the entire team - you aren't allowed to buy stuff and hand it out only to those who can afford it. This means that if a group of parents wants to have an optional team outfit, they have to raise enough money to cover getting it for every member of the team - even if some parents are not able/willing to pay.

catlady said:

Out of curiosity, what happens if enough people don't feel "forced" into purchasing something that's not mandatory? I'm not a CA parent, but there are plenty of teams at our gym where parents don't contribute towards a gift and the team just doesn't get anything. I understand parents want gym owners to draw the financial line for them, but if it's not mandatory, they are allowing you to draw the line for yourself. In my experience, it's the kids and parents doing the pressuring for these added gifts, not the gym.

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This is absolutely true. I don't think my gym cares one way or another if teams have extras. It is totally the kids and parents.

BlueCat said:

Team gifts have to go to the entire team - you aren't allowed to buy stuff and hand it out only to those who can afford it. This means that if a group of parents wants to have an optional team outfit, they have to raise enough money to cover getting it for every member of the team - even if some parents are not able/willing to pay.

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I get those who can't but won't or not willing to pay is what gets me.

Cheerfun2 said:

This is absolutely true. I don't think my gym cares one way or another if teams have extras. It is totally the kids and parents.

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In my specific case (I asked the original question) pressure is mainly from other parents.

We received an email from management with guidelines for team gifts. It suggested that teams who want show off gear (I think is a great idea) could buy a set of next season's new practice wear. The gung-ho parents want a customized design from Rebel.

I feel a little pressure from the gym because the request to buy the new practicewear came from the coaches (according to team rep). This gives the parents more reason to push for it. Some have became confrontational about getting all of us to contribute.

Cheerfun2 said:

This is absolutely true. I don't think my gym cares one way or another if teams have extras. It is totally the kids and parents.

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That's what I've experienced. @quitthedrama I've never seen anyone blackballed over not contributing to an item, but at our gym it isn't public knowledge as to who is and isn't contributing. Cultures may be different, but parents blackballing parents that can't afford or don't want optional items, SMH, you can't fix stupid.

cheermomforever said:

I get those who can't, but won't or not willing to pay is what gets me.

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Even if it is an optional item? I always offer to contribute to team gifts, but I know several parents that are financially able, but don't care to indulge their kids with extras and they have my respect. IMO, parents should never feel obligated to contribute to something optional just because a handful decides their kid "needs" it. My kids have done without team gifts before when there weren't enough contributions to cover every child on the team and it was never a big deal.

Atxmom said:

In my specific case (I asked the original question) pressure is mainly from other parents.

We received an email from management with guidelines for team gifts. It suggested that teams who want show off gear (I think is a great idea) could buy a set of next season's new practice wear. The gung-ho parents want a customized design from Rebel.

I feel a little pressure from the gym because the request to buy the new practicewear came from the coaches (according to team rep). This gives the parents more reason to push for it. Some have became confrontational about getting all of us to contribute.

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Well...I'd be careful as far as believing everything a team rep says. Unless you actually heard it from the mouth of the coach with your own ears, I'd cast a (quietly) skeptical eye.

cheermomforever said:

I get those who can't but won't or not willing to pay is what gets me.

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How would you determine that exactly? What car they drive? Have them fill out a financial aid form? It isn't realistic to be able to differentiate those who "can but won't" vs "those who can't". The policy is there to keep the spending in check and keep the gung-ho parents incentivized to come up with something with a reasonable cost.

cheermomforever said:

I get those who can't but won't or not willing to pay is what gets me.

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Meh. I'm tired of cheer stuff. And paying for it. Fortunately all our items are purchased through the pro shop and then it's optional if it's an extra item, and the entire team is not stuck absorbing the cost for everyone. That I cannot understand.

quitthedrama said:

I don't think anyone ever said the gym was pressuring anyone. The problem is (this is universal and not specific to any gym) that once a group of parents come up with an idea, they are going to do everything in their power to make it happen and the only one who can successfully put a stop to it is the gym owner/coach. Otherwise, the parent who says "no thanks" is blackballed and it ultimately trickles down to the kid as well. Gym cultures differ, but there are definitely some gyms and/or teams that have a history of over the top spending and many parents are likely to continue the "bigger is better" and "you can't top us" trend their gym or team has.

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Bluecat can I send you a DM?

Now, I don't think it so much the actual "extra" items themselves. What I have a problem with is just getting extra items just because. For example, new practice gear because you are "going" to NCA. Any gym that pay the registration fee to attend NCA is "going" to NCA so why do you need special gear, etc.? Now, if you go to NCA and win your division then I would not mind getting a new piece or two of special practice swag that says that on it. Why? YOU EARNED IT and you can't practice in a jacket. EARNING a PAID BID to the Summit or Worlds again I would not mind rewarding that with a few extras. Why? because they EARNED IT. Again, I think I have a problem with just buying these things just because it's "trendy" or "cute" Nope, this cheer parent will question it every single time. Finally, not to be snarky but if you have that extra money to spend on extras invest in some privates or cheer related classes not on looking cute or one upping the other gym. JS

Atxmom said:

Bluecat can I send you a DM?

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Certainly.

My mom and I have this discussion every time a GS is standing in front of a store selling cookies. Whether she buys the cookies she didn't want or says "no", she is angry for days that the grocery store put her in that situation. When I tell her she can say "no thank you" or hand them a dollar donation, she goes right back to arguing she should have never been put in that situation in the first place. People are not going to agree on the extras, but I do want to point out that women struggle with this more than men, and mom's you need to make sure your daughters have no issues with the word "no", have no problems drawing their own lines, and don't give a second thought to what anyone thinks about them saying "no". Just a thought.

BlueCat said:

How would you determine that exactly? What car they drive? Have them fill out a financial aid form? It isn't realistic to be able to differentiate those who "can but won't" vs "those who can't". The policy is there to keep the spending in check and keep the gung-ho parents incentivized to come up with something with a reasonable cost.

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My comment was originally towards another poster who said " she had to pay for someone who won't"....

Natalia5 said:

Now, I don't think it so much the actual "extra" items themselves. What I have a problem with is just getting extra items just because. For example, new practice gear because you are "going" to NCA. Any gym that pay the registration fee to attend NCA is "going" to NCA so why do you need special gear, etc.? Now, if you go to NCA and win your division then I would not mind getting a new piece or two of special practice swag that says that on it. Why? YOU EARNED IT and you can't practice in a jacket. EARNING a PAID BID to the Summit or Worlds again I would not mind rewarding that with a few extras. Why? because they EARNED IT. Again, I think I have a problem with just buying these things just because it's "trendy" or "cute" Nope, this cheer parent will question it every single time. Finally, not to be snarky but if you have that extra money to spend on extras invest in some privates or cheer related classes not on looking cute or one upping the other gym. JS

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Completely spot on...