All-Star Thanks, But No Thanks

[Cheer4lyfe]

i am a director for a not for profit all star program. Because of our time and space limitations we hold try outs for our teams.
In the past anyone is welcome to try out for our program however, we have decided that we as a program need to infor cheerleaders from previous seasons that they are not welcome back for reasons such as: poor attendance, in ability to keep their account current, attitudes etc. Do we allow these girls to try out even though we have no intention on welcoming them back, or do we send them a letter saying, thanks but no thanks?
Thoughts?

 

[SmileyRyleigh]

I would explain to them that due to their lack of commitment last season they're welcome to try out but will be placed in spots needed/if there are spots after the kids who are showing a commitment to be on the team. If that makes sense.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Personally, I've told kids they can't tryout if they still owe fees from last year's school team. They paid up that week. Kids with attendance/attitude/etc. issues, I talk to before hand and let them know that they're on a short leash if they make the team. I also ask why I should take them over someone else who wants to be there without the same issues. Go based on their response. But I do believe most kids deserve a second chance. Also, how much of the problem is them (attitude) versus their parents (attendance)? You shouldn't necessarily punish a kid if it's their parents who can't get them there.

 

[f5forever]

Add an attendance/attitude policy to your Allstar contract! We have one and (I believe) it's 3 I excused absences and your spot on the team may be forfeited. It also includes negative attitudes (for both athletes AND PARENTS).

 

[njallday]

Personally, I've told kids they can't tryout if they still owe fees from last year's school team. They paid up that week. Kids with attendance/attitude/etc. issues, I talk to before hand and let them know that they're on a short leash if they make the team. I also ask why I should take them over someone else who wants to be there without the same issues. Go based on their response. But I do believe most kids deserve a second chance. Also, how much of the problem is them (attitude) versus their parents (attendance)? You shouldn't necessarily punish a kid if it's their parents who can't get them there.

I agree and disagree with you at the same time. While the way a parent acts is not the child's fault, being on a team is a commitment. If your parents can't get you to practice, it's not fair to the rest of the kids on the team. If the parent cannot get them there, they need to find someone else who will or they shouldn't sign their child up. You can't keep a spot on the team open for someone who is never there.

 

[kristenthegreat]

I would definitely not let them try out until their balance is paid in full- what's to stop them from skipping out AGAIN if they see you're not going to make them honor that pay commitment? Put as MUCH down in writing as you can, for this new season (if you haven't already). If they express a desire to tryout, I would sit down and have a talk with them and the parents. Being at your gym isn't a right, it's a privilege.

 

[SharkDad]

It is very reasonable and common to inform people they cannot tryout unless their account is current.

It is also not uncommon to take personality/attitude into account as a factor for tryouts. Let everyone know you have to build the right teams for the program as a whole to be strong. That way it is no surprise if someone doesn't make a team.


Sent from the Fierce Board App that's cooler than ACEDAD's

 

[GreenStormLucy]

Sent from the Fierce Board App that's cooler than ACEDAD's

Thank you for this really needed laugh! Looks like here goes a "signature war"
;-)

What is an attendence/attitude contract looking like? Would love to read one if someone is willing to share. Thank you!

 

[Cheer4lyfe]

We do have these policies in our contact we just have never flat out told anyone your not welcome back rather we just don't place them on a team if they return for try outs tje following season.
The thing is now our program has grown to the point where we can be very, very selective. We are just debating the most tasteful way to handle this because several girls won't be welcome back rather then the 1or 2 in the past.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

I agree and disagree with you at the same time. While the way a parent acts is not the child's fault, being on a team is a commitment. If your parents can't get you to practice, it's not fair to the rest of the kids on the team. If the parent cannot get them there, they need to find someone else who will or they shouldn't sign their child up. You can't keep a spot on the team open for someone who is never there.

I totally agree with you about the commitment to the team, but it's also hard to cut a kid who is continually 15 minutes late because their parents can't get them there on time. I have 1 girl who is 15 late for every practice, and I know it's her parents and not her. Knowing that, I've made the decision to let it go as it's better for my team. We're a school team who practices in the mornings, and I originally started the team cos we had so many at tryouts. It was started to be a fun team, to introduce them to cheer and give them skills for the next year, and while I'm not ok with her being late all the time, it's still working for us at this point.

If someone is missing many practices due to parents, than yes, you should be talking with their parents. This is where having an attendance policy in place ahead of the season starting is huge so that parents know the expectations ahead of time. But again, this is where coaches need to talk to the kids ahead of time and get details cos every situation is different

 

[Bling it On]

Our gym does not allow the athlete to practice if their account is not current. I'm not sure how not current they have to be for this to kick in but I have noticed that dropping off your kid for a practice they have to sit out due to the state of the a count seems very effective at bringing the parent in with their checkbook in tow. Our coaches also implemented an attendance policy this year whereby if the athlete miss any of the three practices leading up to a competition that athlete is not allowed to compete. This also seems to be highly effective. We did have a very talented athlete leave our program after not being allowed to compete after back to back unexcused missed practices directly prior to a competition but in the bigger picture as a parent who keeps their bill current and busts their rear flank to get their athlete to each and every practice no matter what I'm appreciative that our coaches are making sure that the entire team is being held accountable to be present for practice. After all, you need each team member to be there to execute the routine. As far as tardiness. I know the kids have to do laps, or push-ups or other additional conditioning when they are tardy. There are some exceptions for example my son decided to cheer this year however his main sport is football and his HS football practice overlaps cheer practice by approximately ten minutes. The coaches for both sports were made aware of the situation and his football coach made an effort to make sure he got out of football practice on time and our cheer coaches considered the ten minutes he was tardy to cheer excused. The key was communicating openly at the onset about the potential practice conflicts. As a parent I appreciate both having policies that are set out and understood by all.


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[Rudags]

I would let everyone tryout but let them know:

1) Since you owe a balance from last season you are unable to practice
2) Since your kid has a poor attitude/poor attendance/etc., she will be asked to leave if change is not immediately seen.

 

[mamabear]

The problem is that if they are continuously late for practice then they easily could be late or no show a comp. Who needs that added stress on competition day? not the coaches, or the other kids.

Also,if my six year old can question why Susie din't make it to practice and didn't call to let us know; pretty much any older child should be able to call or email that they can;t make it. The act of "truly" No Showing is inexcusable imo - and in an ideal world should mean dismissal. Excessive tardiness and missed classes with a call are another thing --but I can barely even deal with that-lol!

 

[BelieveinM.E.]

I would let everyone tryout but let them know:

1) Since you owe a balance from last season you are unable to practice
2) Since your kid has a poor attitude/poor attendance/etc., she will be asked to leave if change is not immediately seen.

This is the way we are going to do it for our upcoming season. We've been renting from another facility so we've really had to focus on "their" rules more so than "our" rules, so there will be a lot of changes coming as far as rules/policies/expectations go.

We will hold an "anyone can try out policy", hold a parent meeting laying out EVERY expectation (had to include a social media policy this year), and then special meetings with the parents and kids who have account balances and / or attitude /attendance issues. Have them sign off on what is expected of them / payment arrangement, and make it very clear that their spot is on a probabtion-like statuts.

 

[BelieveinM.E.]

The problem is that if they are continuously late for practice then they easily could be late or no show a comp. Who needs that added stress on competition day? not the coaches, or the other kids.

Also,if my six year old can question why Susie din't make it to practice and didn't call to let us know; pretty much any older child should be able to call or email that they can;t make it. The act of "truly" No Showing is inexcusable imo - and in an ideal world should mean dismissal. Excessive tardiness and missed classes with a call are another thing --but I can barely even deal with that-lol!

Maybe put in a fee or penalty for a no call, no show situation if you're concerned of it being an issue? I would think that would weed out anyone that isn't serious or committed to it before you even have try-outs.