All-Star Not So Funny Thing Happened....

cheercurl · May 15, 2012

A small local gym lost some athletes to some more established gyms...the athletes that left were told not to return for tumbling classes or open gym or privates. Why would a gym not want those children to stay connected? Why would they not want money for privates or classes? How can anyone think that would be a good business practice? I am so confused?

Would not the smartest thing for the small local gym be, to wish an athlete luck on their new adventure and remind them that the door is always open and if it doesn't work out at the new gym they would be welcome back! Am I being naive?

Neither the athlete or the gym should close any doors, you never know what your future may hold. Why are coaches/business owners so short sighted? AM I missing something in this equation? What is the pay off for the owner/coach to shut off all connection to the athlete that is leaving? Is it to send a message to others who are thinking of leaving?

cheerymom · May 15, 2012

I think it's always good practice to part with athletes on positive terms. As it's been said before the grass is not always greener and sometimes if they feel like they can return, they do. But I guess I can understand not wanting to feel like you are training another teams athletes to beat you in tumbling. Especially if you directly compete with them. Still, running money out of your gym doesn't seem like best business practice.

BlueCat · May 15, 2012

Many of our athletes that leave for other programs eventually find their way back after a year or two. Aside from all of the normal reasons that adults shouldn't trash talk children, it makes no business sense whatsoever to burn that bridge.

CHEER4LIFE!! · May 15, 2012

Are you positive that nothing else was going on? If so, then I would think it would be stupid to burn the bridge.

gymrat12 · May 15, 2012

I wish all adults thought like this... The coach I work with takes things VERY personal! Where I make it a point to make sure all the kids I ever coached feel more then welcome anywhere I may be coaching, he feels very hurt and betrayed when athletes leave. At some point you have to remember these are kids and will make decisions as such!

Twinklilstarsmom · May 15, 2012

A gym in my area tried that same concept last year. Nonetheless it must not have worked because they've reached out to those same athletes to come back, I guess the money's not rolling in like they thought. Word to the wise, never bite the hand that feeds you [income].

mariahnicole1216 · May 15, 2012

BlueCat said:
Many of our athletes that leave for other programs eventually find their way back after a year or two. Aside from all of the normal reasons that adults shouldn't trash talk children, it makes no business sense whatsoever to burn that bridge.

I'm slightly confused as to why anyone would leave your gym...

5-6-7-8 · May 15, 2012

The only reason I could see this is that tumbling usually is going on during one or more team practices. I get it if the reason is to protect the team practices.

But that can also be explained in a nice respectful way.

BlueCat · May 15, 2012

mariahnicole1216 said:
I'm slightly confused as to why anyone would leave your gym...

There are several other amazing programs in our area. (SOT, Champion, Pro Spirit, etc.). Each has their own style and way of doing things that work for them. I strongly believe in the quality of our program, but no one gym is a perfect fit for everyone.

That being said, unhappiness with team placement is probably the most common reason people leave.

12stepCheermom · May 15, 2012

cheercurl said:
A small local gym lost some athletes to some more established gyms...the athletes that left were told not to return for tumbling classes or open gym or privates. Why would a gym not want those children to stay connected? Why would they not want money for privates or classes? How can anyone think that would be a good business practice? I am so confused?

Would not the smartest thing for the small local gym be, to wish an athlete luck on their new adventure and remind them that the door is always open and if it doesn't work out at the new gym they would be welcome back! Am I being naive?

Neither the athlete or the gym should close any doors, you never know what your future may hold. Why are coaches/business owners so short sighted? AM I missing something in this equation? What is the pay off for the owner/coach to shut off all connection to the athlete that is leaving? Is it to send a message to others who are thinking of leaving?

I've been on the receiving side of this. At last check the gym we left (and we left three years ago) has now taken to calling us "satan's soldiers" among other quite entertaining and slanderous names around the community. Those that left to join other gyms (most especially ours) this season have been deleted from their Facebook groups and unfriended and told never to return as we were. This has been the M.O. for the last three years, it just gets more out of hand every year. Not surprisingly, their program gets smaller and smaller every year.

Coincidence, I think not.

I can't understand how they're making rent at this point, but given the way my children have been slandered in the community (and at school by their now former team mates and one teacher - not kidding, she's a cheer mom -) I can't say I'm the least bit sorry.

Mamarazzi · May 15, 2012

Just as there are smart, savvy gym/business owners, there are petty, immature business owners. The latter rarely keeps the title "business owner" indefinitely.

littlestALLSTAR · May 15, 2012

I'm so glad this subject is up for discussion. Mamarazzi has taken the words right out of my mouth.

NJ Coach · May 15, 2012

12stepCheermom said:
I've been on the receiving side of this. At last check the gym we left (and we left three years ago) has now taken to calling us "satan's soldiers" among other quite entertaining and slanderous names around the community. Those that left to join other gyms (most especially ours) this season have been deleted from their Facebook groups and unfriended and told never to return as we were. This has been the M.O. for the last three years, it just gets more out of hand every year. Not surprisingly, their program gets smaller and smaller every year.

Yeah, that made me giggle

Trolldance · May 15, 2012

Petty small people will behave in petty and small ways.

alexamarysouza · May 15, 2012

That was one thing I was happy about when I switched gyms. As much as my main coach wanted me to stay, he understood it wasn't my decision and has supported me for going on 3 years with my new gym. He still tells me the doors are open and Im welcome back whenever, but I think he basically knows Im not leaving where I am now. I see him at comps, and even go against his teams, and he's still there with a 'good luck' & hug. Why can't all coaches be like that?

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