My daughter has recently ended her cheerleading season for a local Pop Warner team. She would really like to continue with cheer since she doesn't play soccer or softball and LOVES cheer. We have a couple of volunteer coaches that would like to take our girls and move into the allstar levels and start competing. I am a bit worried that even though her coach was successful in the copy of competitions recently that if we move into allstars my daughter may be let down. Would you take a chance on a "carry forward" of a pop warner team or would you sign up with an established all-star program? Thanks for your help.
yeah id sign up with an established team. if she dislikes the new place than maybe she can go back to the popwarner allstars thing once its been around for a couple years.
I have to absolutely agree with what everyone is saying it's time to select the established gym. ther are two jr coaches that are currenty trying this out in my area. both are saying that it's for the girls that aren't allowed to compete in high school. the high school coaches are saying no they don't want it but these cheer moms are going against the high school coaches wishes and are marching forward anyway i don't know if its worth the battles with the high school to follow through with something of this sort but it's go to create waves in the future. I could understand if this was their true intentions but there is more, these cheer moms want to become gym owners they are doing their best to undercut the other two area allstar gyms. it's just too bad. i think in the end it will bit them.
If she definitely wants to do Pop Warner again next season you should stick with her current coaches. But only if they will practice in a gym on a spring floor and the coaches have been certified. The best option is to be under the umbrella of an established cheer gym.
If she is interested in making this a year-round commitment, then try an established gym's half year team.
The next logical step in progression is going to All-Star, but it is not for everyone.
Now that all star is SOOO competitive I would join an allstar gym. Its hard now days to get established and stay in business unless you have a lot of talent to start with.. 6 years ago I would have said start your own gym because thats what my pop warner team did.
Try half year and see how your Daughter and family like it.I think its a whole different ball game like flag football and full contact sorry Dad analogy...Anyways if your daughter loves cheer after half year i think she will be really wanting to do full year.My daughters did half year and were now in our 3rd full year season and Iam still being amazed by them and all there teammates and our gym.....Go AP ...Good luck to all this year...
Oh yes, an all star gym by far. The skills and progression will be far greater. Teams that stay together for many seasons seem to become elite to very elite depending on the coaching. My own daughter started about 7 years ago at about a junior 2 level...she is now a senior 5 and went to Worlds last year.
We also started out on a half year team. It gives you a good base on what to expect.
-- Edited by CHEERFULLMOM at 11:57, 2008-11-25
Most importantly, it will let you test the financial waters. All Star Cheer can break your bank if you're not prepared. Be sure that your gym offers a variety of fundraising opportunities, preferably a few that have been in place for some time so that you can gage how much you can supplement toward a full season's bill.
