All-Star Attending Clinics At Other Gyms

[Official OWECheer]

Certified doesn't always mean competent, though.

Unfortunately.

 

[piglet]

At my CP's previous gym, parents signed a contract with the language that we were expected to keep cheer training of any kind "in house." It framed more of a financial thing (support your gym! we know you best!) than a safety thing.

Our current gym has zero problems with athletes safely training elsewhere. I was actually considering taking my CP to a cheerlebrity clinic at her request until I starting thinking about a) the cost and ratios and b) is s/he certified to train? Just because you can throw a skill doesn't mean you can safely teach one :confused:

 

[catlady]

Just out of curiosity, are we 100% sure this is what truly happened? Not to say it couldn't have happened way but, I've seen practice days change because of another team having choreography, coach conflicts, etc. All it takes is one Suzie to say, "I bet they changed practice days so they couldn't attend the XYZ clinic." and all of Suzie's sheep decide it's gospel. If we are going with conspiracy theory whose to say, "Their clinic was unsuccessful so, they blamed it on surrounding gym owners for not letting their athletes attend." The possibilities are endless and so is the drama it creates.

 

[newbiemom]

Our old gym did not allow it. It is in the contract, and I had forgotten about it. I took my CP to some flying clinics at another gym and I told our coach about them. I was asked to not do it any more- because it made our gym look bad. Honestly, if they had told me it was a safety concern, I wouldn't have cared, but the fact that it "make our gym look bad" irritated me. Our gym offered no clinics. Our current gym had nothing in our contract about it but they have plenty of clinics so I haven't felt the need.

 

[THEJOEL]

I took and still take my CP to clinics on a regular basis. It caused some issues at our last program but since we have been at our current gym there have been zero issues.
She has done 2 TCLM clinics (One had Cami Branson and Holden Ray there.), 2 Debbie Love clinics (One at Rockstar and one at Stingray's) and attended The Payne brothers clinic at ACX. We actually had a group of 9/10 CPs go to CA Charlotte and attend a clinic/bonding trip last April.
The TCLM clinics were fun and I think they can help with a flyer's confidence. Those big guys did some serious upper level stunts with my CP and she loved it. Also, I got some cool pics of her stunting with Holden Ray at the second one.
The Debbie Love clinics were just awesome. She is such a great mind and I was in awe of her. My CP picked up 1 new tumbling skill at each of her clinics so that made each one money well spent.
I was honestly surprised by the Payne brothers. They ran a well organized and fun clinic and they instructed the entire time. Both of those kids are going to make great coaches and they have Randy Dickey as their mentor so I am sure they are going to do well.
I wasn't in attendance for the CA Charlotte camp but my understanding was they all had a blast and learned a lot.
Here is my $0.02 when it comes to clinics especially at other gyms. Sometimes it good to get a different perspective and experiences. My CP has learned at least one thing at every one she attended. Also we, as a family, have made friends from other programs simply by going and talking to people. There is more to this sport than trophies it's also about experiences and relationships. Plus, I should get to decide where I spend my money and I would never think of taking my CP to something if it conflicted with a predetermined practice time.
BTW, if anyone is interested, TCLM is coming to Hayden's on August 8 for a stunt clinic. It's open to everyone so if you're in GA/SC register at the website and come see us.

 

[dance2874]

My CP has been to 2 Susie Cheerlebrity type clinics and has plans to attend another one in August. At one there were coaches of the hosting gym there at the other there were not. However I will say at the one without coaches the cheerlebrity didnt do much spotting or teaching of skills, it was more just offering tips watching them throw skills they have now. Both clinics were fun and my CP learned something new (even if it was just a few tips to perfect skill she already had or was working on or new stretches) but they were really just for fun. I see those clinics as a fun summer thing to do that keeps her enjoying cheer and working hard. Like it or not, they look up to those cheerlebrities and spending a few hours with them can be a really nice boost for them.

And if a Debbie Love clinic comes within driving distance of me, I will take my CP. No question. She is just such a positive person and I think my CP could learn SO much from her.

As for our gym caring- we have been at 3 all star gyms and neither cared at all. In fact at our current gym it would never even hit my radar to ask. If it confilcts with a practice she wont go but otherwise our free time is ours to do with what we want.

 

[Lazydaisytoo]

Our new gym has a no outside instruction policy. They do provide ample tumbling classes, clinics, and privates in house. That said, I know for a fact that some girls do tumble at a local gymnastics gym as I've seen their backpacks there last year before we switched into the new program.

I have not heard anything about practices being changed to exclude athletes from attending outside clinics. I don't really follow cheerlebs, and don't know if there have been any such clinics in my area.

 

[Keep_Believing]

I don't know how any gym could try to justify saying no to Debbie Love.

 

[schpo]

Th

^^^^Sidenote: The cost of some of those events is insane in comparison to the amount of time spent.

I saw one advertised with a particularly well-known Susie Cheerlebrity that cost approximately $200. For something like 4 hours.

I understand that Susie needs to be compensated for her travel and such, but really.

IS SUSIE GIVING OUT DOUBLE FULLS BY OSMOSIS?

This happens in other sports too. My 7-year-old niece was "invited" to attend a figure skating workshop with a couple of well-known Olympic athletes. It cost hundreds of dollars for just a few hours.

 

[lifeoftheparty]

I don't think there is a rule at CP's current gym. CP went to one clinic outside the gym since we have been there. She loves Debbie Love and I couldn't say no. CP current gym offers so many clinics and classes. I do prefer to stay in house because they know CP , what she needs to work on, how she learns etc, etc. I also like to support her gym first.

 

[darlingsmomx4]

We asked our gym before my daughter started taking tumbling at a more local gym if it would be an issue they told us that was completely fine and a lot of athletes do it. However when we do said tumbling at the other gym every single week we are asked to move to their gym and their cheer team despite and how much they would love to have her despite the fact that she is a young 6. I do think gyms should be respectful and let the athlete come for the event or class and not recruit.

 

[randomactsofcheer]

We asked our gym before my daughter started taking tumbling at a more local gym if it would be an issue they told us that was completely fine and a lot of athletes do it. However when we do said tumbling at the other gym every single week we are asked to move to their gym and their cheer team despite and how much they would love to have her despite the fact that she is a young 6. I do think gyms should be respectful and let the athlete come for the event or class and not recruit.

I am a bothered by this, as well. CP's gym was a 5 minute drive from our house before we moved. Now, with traffic, it can sometimes take us 45 minutes to get there. CP used to take tumbling and privates 2-3 days a week in addition to her twice a week practices. We tried to keep this up when we moved, but the commute was exhausting. I told the owner of the gym that, as much as CP loves taking lessons there, she was going to have to start taking privates at her old gymnastics gym or another cheer gym that is only 10 mins from our new house. The owner's reponse was, "No problem. That is completely understandable."

However, I feel my CP is now being recruited by the cheer gym where she now takes lessons. My husband doesn't seem to mind but it honestly makes me uncomfortable. We MIGHT make the decision to move gyms next year, but I don't want to think about or be asked about that now. And if we do move, it will be because our current gym doesn't have any age/level appropriate team for her. She just turned 8 and is working on her level 3 skills. There is no team in between Youth 2 and Senior 3 at her current small gym. So if she masters her level 3 skills by next year, she will be faced with the decision of spending another year on Y2 (if the whole team isn't moved up) and then going to S3 when she is 10 :confused: or moving to a gym with a Y or J3.

I think, above and beyond safety issues, losing athletes to other gyms is the biggest concern of gyms that don't allow their kids to attend clinics or take lessons elsewhere. I have no intention of moving unless there isn't appropriate team for CP next year, but I do sometimes catch myself saying in my head (while at the other gym), "It would be so nice if CP's gym had that" or "I wish CP's gym ran their practices like this." For some parents and athletes, all it takes is attending one great clinic at another gym after one bad week at their current gym to jump ship.