What to say about skill discounts...?

Date: Wed Jul 13 12:34 PM, 2005

What to say about skill discounts...?

Date: Wed Jul 13 12:59 PM, 2005

Locally the only program I can think of that does that has the numbers to do so. But what is that telling your entry level cheerleaders. I feel like gyms already have to deal with girls thinking that they have been placed on the "not good" team when they are placed on level 2 or 3 so by giving this discount to your "good" cheerleaders that is just re-iterating the fact that you value your higher level cheerleaders more.

On the other side of it, I see the gyms point of view to reward the athlete for there hard work and dedication. I just think that level 2-3 cheerleaders are just as dedicated so why not give them the same respect and incentive.

What do you think?

Date: Wed Jul 13 1:39 PM, 2005

Starting up some interesting topics there Bryan...

Two things to touch up on; first being the discounts for specific skills. My question is this, colleges do it for some sports (giving scholarships to those with more talent in such sports as football, basketball, baseball, etc) so would it be bad if programs did it? Being on the business side of it though, it's not that easy when you are already making sacrafices in order to provide a reasonably priced program to cheer at.

The other topic is one brought up by "nor cal cheer gal". Just a question to throw out to all of you; what do you think about leaving a program where you may be a small fish in a big pond and go to a program where you become a big fish in a small pond?

I'd love to hear your answers on the latter.

Nelson

Date: Wed Jul 13 1:40 PM, 2005

I agree. Thats not the message you want to be sending. Also as a parent writing the checks I would be very offended and would be looking for another gym. I don't think I'm the only parent who feels that way.

Date: Wed Jul 13 1:54 PM, 2005

The recent messages have all been about winning competitions, being the best, so on and so on. I understand everyone wants to win. Something that has not been talked about, especially for kids just entering these programs is because they they simply love cheerleading. I know this is competive sport but I hope my child learns about teamwork, pride, friendship and building self esteem not just the importance of winning. Offering discounts to attract more boys into the program I can understand. But offering discounts because of your skill level no way. What kind of message is that sending...not a good one thats for sure.

Date: Wed Jul 13 4:15 PM, 2005

Boys?

If offering discounts to boys is ok, then why not the girls? What about the girl who comes to your gym, throws double fulls, bases like a champ, has the dedication, and simply CAN"T AFFORD IT. I'm saying give the talented kid who couldn't care less a free ride, I'm saying there are kids, ESPECIALLY in my area, that trully love the sport, are EXTREMELY talented, COULD take it through college, would do anything to cheer, but don't have the money. How is a program director or manager going to turn that away? I personally think if the program can discount guys for being guys, they should be able to discount girls for being talented AND dedicated.

Shouldn't a goal be to help less fortunate kids take cheer to college and maybe get some money for it?

I'm probably gonna stir the pot a little with this one, but that's just my opinion.

Date: Wed Jul 13 4:36 PM, 2005

I agree with Amac. If you have a well-rounded cheerleader that is pretty much good at everything, but then theres a problem with money, then hey, why not give her a discount or even free..?

But, If you have a well rounded cheerleader that is pretty much perfect and good at everything, but they DO have the money to pay, then it's not fair. Because besides being "one of the best", they don't have to pay the money.

So if you have a GOOD cheerleader with no money, give them to discount
If you have a GOOD cheerleader with the money, don't give them the discount.

I think the cheerleaders SHOULD be rewarded and recognized, but not out of money. Because that's not fair to the less fortunate boys or girls, who are struggling to pay their tuition, comp. fees, clothing fees and what not..

Just my opinion..

♥ Jensen

Date: Wed Jul 13 5:10 PM, 2005

What constitutes "No money".....who decides which of us can afford to do this sport, and who can't?

Date: Wed Jul 13 5:16 PM, 2005

I know a girl who looks really really good in clothes from Nordstrom. The problem is that she can't afford their clothes. But she looks REALLY good in them. Maybe she should call and see if they'll give her a discount.

Date: Wed Jul 13 6:52 PM, 2005

A small part of me would feel slighted; although, mostly I don't see a problem with offering discounts to those who have skills that the gym is looking for.

Everyone can come in with no skills, not everyone can come in with a double full/whatever is better (can ya tell I haven't been a cheer mom for very long? ;) ) And, if my daughter/son works hard and is dedicated, one day she could earn the discount. However, I don't feel that boys should get a discount just for stepping into the gym.

Date: Wed Jul 13 7:02 PM, 2005

Just an FYI, the boys are discounted because they are responsible for the take-down and removal of the Gym floors for competitions, exhibition and Summer Jam.
Believe me it is quite a task. Do you think that the girl that can cheer and tumble can lift a rolled carpet, spring floor, tumble track pieces,etc. Plus, there is ways for parents to make money to pay the fees. I do.

Date: Wed Jul 13 8:04 PM, 2005

The hard fact is this is a business. Yes it's a sport and yes there are very dedicated kids and coaches, but it's not free. I pay hard earn money so my child can do something they love to do. Sorry I would be upset if there was a double standard when it cam to fees.

Date: Wed Jul 13 8:18 PM, 2005

To "parent,"

I know why the boys get a discount. I have 2 brothers in the program. And yes, I do think that girls can help in the take down and such of events. I did it last year.

If the opportunity is there for the boys, why not for the girls? What about the girls who pay for their seson on their own, go to school, have 3-4 summer jobs, keep up good grades, and still want to cheer. Why is it considered a double standard? If the girl is working for the gym to off set fees, and doing the grunt work that no one else wants to do.. Then why not??? And I understand about hard earned money, my parents used to re-mortgage the house to pay for my sports. And true, there are fundraisers. But what about the girls where thats not possible? What about the girls with single mothers, or both parents working all day, or with HUGE families, or even worse, the talented TALENTED young ladies who's parents just don't care enough?? I think it is selfish for people who have it "easy" or "easier" to say that they wouldn't give these talented young ladies a chance.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm so passionate about it because I'm from San Jose, and the majority of my friends fall into one of the categories I've mentioned above, and I've seen way too much talent and dedication go to waste because of money. Yes, its a business. And yes, its subjective. And yes, it might not be totally fair. But if you ask me, I don't think its totally fair that the girls who need this sport the most, wouldn't be able to participate because of a lack of cash flow. Like I said, I've see way to much talent, dedication, drive, and determination go to waste.

-Amac

Date: Wed Jul 13 8:29 PM, 2005

My opinion on this stands thus, considering All Star Cheer only; If you're earning most of your money from tumbling classes/conditioning classes/open gyms etc, then by all means, feel free to give skill discounts. Also in response to Amac, sometimes, things just arent afforable. That is understandable. But thats why skill discounts work. If your child gets a full mid season then there goes X amount of dollars on your monthly bill.

On Nelson's thought-

Big Fish in a Small Pond or vise versa? There's no such thing. You are only as strong as your weakest link. If your team doesnt stand a chance against other advanced teams and you've got ONE double, that ONE double is going to have to throw a tuck in the intermediate division.

Just a thought! :) keep them coming

-Bryan
Motions Senior Maroon

Date: Wed Jul 13 8:34 PM, 2005

another parent wrote:

What constitutes "No money".....who decides which of us can afford to do this sport, and who can't?

what is that supposed to mean? No one DECIDES who has money and who doesn't. But the fact is, some people aren't as fortunate as others and their parents or themselves don't make as much extra money as the program is asking for.

A lot of people can't afford to pay $3,000.00 a year on cheer.. so i think that is a ridiculous question. Especially when you KNOW people who have had trouble paying for cheer.

Jensen

Date: Wed Jul 13 8:42 PM, 2005

Woah there now!

'another parent', "No Money" was not written in the context but the gist of it means "Not ENOUGH money".

'Jensen', you are absolutely right. No one does decide who has enough money for cheer and who doesnt. That is not what a skill discount is for. That is why it is called a 'skill' discount.

Also, Jensen, dont bit poeple's heads off! sheesh we want them to keep posting here.

That goes for everyone, with a good, clean, positive attitude. =)

-Bryan
Motions Senior Maroon

Date: Wed Jul 13 10:03 PM, 2005

eep =[ sorry!

Date: Wed Jul 13 10:09 PM, 2005

I don't think there is anyone that would turn down a discount if it was given to them. I struggle to come up with the money for cheer. Heck I'm still paying off last years fees! I just don't think it's fair to give discounts because someone has better tumbling skills. I agree with NOR CAL what kind of an example are you giving the entry level cheerleader, that you value your higher level cheerleaders more. Unfortunately some things come at a price and competitive cheerleading is one of them. In a perfect world it would be great if it was affordable for everyone.

Date: Wed Jul 13 10:14 PM, 2005

The way i see it is..

Situation:

You have 20 tumblers with double fulls. All being given a discount. They have been tumbling their whole lives and have been 110% dedicated to their tumbling skill level.

The team is judged and discounted by TUMBLING skills.

If people are being payed for their tumbling, why not be payed for being a SUPERB backspot? or base.. or flyer.

So now you have a team of 20.. all have double fulls. But not 1 has a clue how to sunt. What are you going to do now?

Date: Wed Jul 13 10:26 PM, 2005

I agree with you Jensen. The key word here is 'TEAM'. As a team they should all be valued the same.