Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
As a gym owner I can tell you that even though you may see it like that, I truly feel that I take time for each team. It is funny, if you would ask a kid or parent from Level 5 I think you would feel a totally different vibe from them. They often feel a ton of pressure to step up and be the best of the best! At my gym they feel that they need to be the best team in the gym and if they are not they don't feel great about themselves. When I mean the best I don't mean the best Level 5 skills, I mean the most consistent and to them the most successful in their level against other teams. They often hear, they are level 5, they should stay in the air or land their skills. Maybe I am a Mama Bear with them because at one time they were level 1,2,3 and 4, they have all moved up in my program, minus a few that came to me with gymnastics skills. Yet I know that I feel the same when my glitter girls ( youth 2 ) or any teams take the floor, I am proud of each of them.
What I love about our lower levels is that they have a fire and desire that I feel at times some of our higher level kids can take for granted. Not to say that our higher level kids don't love cheer, they have just been there and done that. So at times I really need to find a way to motivate them differently.
So as I understand where you are coming from and maybe the extra t-shirts or special music ( yet personally I love all of my music, Matt Goldberg @ gofightwin does an amazing job with ALL of our teams ) may seem unfair at times, you may really want to come to a level 4 or 5 practice and see what its like, we are not sitting there praising them and telling them they are more important then other teams. You would be surprised to see that they are harder on themselves then you think, you would also see that when we play other team's music from our program at their practice they say things like, I love their music and this part of that routine. You may also be surprised to hear that they often would love to be in those other routines cause the pressure would be lessened.
I know I have written alot about your post, I guess because I am so adamant that if you truly feel this way and if you approach your owner and you do not feel that your child is being treated the same way as any other athlete, maybe it is time to look for another option for you and your family. I do feel that their are many times that parents or cheerleaders just need to ask 'why'. I think the answer will give you the insite that you desire. Goodluck with the rest of the season!
Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
Totally understand where you are coming from but it is a human condition. If it werent for the NFL...there would be no small town local pee wee football programs. If it werent for the success of the few...the motivation for the masses would be void. Level 5 inspires levels 1-4....and please remember...those level 5's paid their dues in the lower levels...I tell my girls...if you like the way level 5's are...try to become that. All too often our society makes negative hard work and success because it is "unfair" to the lower levels....and yes...it's not always fair but there lies another lesson for our children...life is not always fair...move on...do your best and know that your best id good enough for mom and dad....:)
Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
I think it would be very wise for gym owners and coaches to ready this and take it into serious advisement. I hear this complaint far more than any other. Wether it is true or not this is how many feel.
Also I love it, not, when the level 5 girls double up on level 2 teams.... It is frustrating to see the level 5 kids competiting against level 2 kids.....
Totally understand where you are coming from but it is a human condition. If it werent for the NFL...there would be no small town local pee wee football programs. If it werent for the success of the few...the motivation for the masses would be void. Level 5 inspires levels 1-4....and please remember...those level 5's paid their dues in the lower levels...I tell my girls...if you like the way level 5's are...try to become that. All too often our society makes negative hard work and success because it is "unfair" to the lower levels....and yes...it's not always fair but there lies another lesson for our children...life is not always fair...move on...do your best and know that your best id good enough for mom and dad....:)
I get the NFL reference, and agree that watching the upper level teams can be motivating and inspiring to the girls as they are working on learning their skills.
And yes, life is unfair. I teach my daughter that lesson too. When she's still struggling to do a roundoff back handspring after two years and her friend got it in three months she learned that life isn't fair and not everyone has the same gifts.
My objection is to the attitudes and actions of the gym owners and coaches that disregard the lower level teams as less significant and less important. We (the parents) are paying for a service. I wouldn't put up with taking my child to a daycare where 10% of the children got 90% of the attention because they are smarter or they are cuter. Nor would I put up with lesser service or food at a restaurant where I am paying an equal amount. Would you?
Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
Totally understand where you are coming from but it is a human condition. If it werent for the NFL...there would be no small town local pee wee football programs. If it werent for the success of the few...the motivation for the masses would be void. Level 5 inspires levels 1-4....and please remember...those level 5's paid their dues in the lower levels...I tell my girls...if you like the way level 5's are...try to become that. All too often our society makes negative hard work and success because it is "unfair" to the lower levels....and yes...it's not always fair but there lies another lesson for our children...life is not always fair...move on...do your best and know that your best id good enough for mom and dad....:)
Your girls must be on a level 5 team. It is true the top level 5 team of the gym does in fact get more attention, floor time, better music, & etc. and the lower level teams are overshadowed by them. People are always talking about how kids on the lower levels need to work harder to get on a level 5 team, so what their basically saying is the lower level kids aren't working hard enough when in fact there are some kids who work very hard and will probably never be able to make it on a level 5 team no matter how hard they work and believe me not ALL the level 5's paid their dues on the lower level teams. All in all I don't think it's about wanting to be level 5 it's more about wanting the attention, the excitement, and most of all the recognition from their coaches as the coaches would give to their golden 5 team. About life not being fair, yes true but this is CHEER not some big job promotion. I'm sure a lot of kids know they do their best out on the floor for mom and dad but it's not just about mom and dad they also feel the need to make their coaches proud as well and it's kind of hard to do that when your teams are overshadowed.
Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
Totally understand where you are coming from but it is a human condition. If it werent for the NFL...there would be no small town local pee wee football programs. If it werent for the success of the few...the motivation for the masses would be void. Level 5 inspires levels 1-4....and please remember...those level 5's paid their dues in the lower levels...I tell my girls...if you like the way level 5's are...try to become that. All too often our society makes negative hard work and success because it is "unfair" to the lower levels....and yes...it's not always fair but there lies another lesson for our children...life is not always fair...move on...do your best and know that your best id good enough for mom and dad....:)
Your girls must be on a level 5 team. It is true the top level 5 team of the gym does in fact get more attention, floor time, better music, & etc. and the lower level teams are overshadowed by them. People are always talking about how kids on the lower levels need to work harder to get on a level 5 team, so what their basically saying is the lower level kids aren't working hard enough when in fact there are some kids who work very hard and will probably never be able to make it on a level 5 team no matter how hard they work and believe me not ALL the level 5's paid their dues on the lower level teams. All in all I don't think it's about wanting to be level 5 it's more about wanting the attention, the excitement, and most of all the recognition from their coaches as the coaches would give to their golden 5 team. About life not being fair, yes true but this is CHEER not some big job promotion. I'm sure a lot of kids know they do their best out on the floor for mom and dad but it's not just about mom and dad they also feel the need to make their coaches proud as well and it's kind of hard to do that when your teams are overshadowed.
Actually they are on level 5 teams after they were on level 1,2,3,4.....and they LOVED those levels too....level 5 has it's own issues...more work...more stress...the grass is always greener...yes?
Let me first say that I LOVE watching Levels 5 and 6 as does my daughter. Those kids (and their parents and coaches) have every right to be proud of themselves. And, of course, my daughter wants to be there someday.
However...I have been with three gyms in 12 years (due to combining) and have friends at several other gyms. There seems to be a common complaint - that 10% of the cheerleaders are on Level 5 but they get 90% of the kudos, attention and perks.
Level five gets the most floor time, choreograhpy, new uniforms, and the competition schedule is worked around trying to get them a bid to Worlds. And even if other teams do well at a competition, it is far outshadowed by however the Level 5 team does. If they don't do well, it is like the world ended. Nevermind the other girls that are thrilled - their coaches are depressed.
I think it's time that someone said ENOUGH to this. The girls on the lower level teams often feel like second class citizens (as do their parents) despite the fact that they spend (nearly) as much money and have as much dedication. You can only be treated this way for so long before it becomes discouraging and frustrating.
And to be honest, some of the Level 5 girls have chosen to be Divas, vs. trying to be mentors and good examples to the younger girls. I know that is a small percentage but since I am venting I may as well get it all off of my chest.
Totally understand where you are coming from but it is a human condition. If it werent for the NFL...there would be no small town local pee wee football programs. If it werent for the success of the few...the motivation for the masses would be void. Level 5 inspires levels 1-4....and please remember...those level 5's paid their dues in the lower levels...I tell my girls...if you like the way level 5's are...try to become that. All too often our society makes negative hard work and success because it is "unfair" to the lower levels....and yes...it's not always fair but there lies another lesson for our children...life is not always fair...move on...do your best and know that your best id good enough for mom and dad....:)
Your girls must be on a level 5 team. It is true the top level 5 team of the gym does in fact get more attention, floor time, better music, & etc. and the lower level teams are overshadowed by them. People are always talking about how kids on the lower levels need to work harder to get on a level 5 team, so what their basically saying is the lower level kids aren't working hard enough when in fact there are some kids who work very hard and will probably never be able to make it on a level 5 team no matter how hard they work and believe me not ALL the level 5's paid their dues on the lower level teams. All in all I don't think it's about wanting to be level 5 it's more about wanting the attention, the excitement, and most of all the recognition from their coaches as the coaches would give to their golden 5 team. About life not being fair, yes true but this is CHEER not some big job promotion. I'm sure a lot of kids know they do their best out on the floor for mom and dad but it's not just about mom and dad they also feel the need to make their coaches proud as well and it's kind of hard to do that when your teams are overshadowed.
Actually they are on level 5 teams after they were on level 1,2,3,4.....and they LOVED those levels too....level 5 has it's own issues...more work...more stress...the grass is always greener...yes?
Good for them that's great. Like I've said it's not about being level 5 it's about the feedback an athlete gets from their coaches.
I think it all comes down to the attitudes of the owners and coaches. We left a gym because the owner only celebrated and cried over the level 5 teams. When we went to our new gym we were AMAZED at the amount of time that was spent with all the teams. The lower levels are treated with as much respect as the higher levels. They actually refer to the younger cheerleaders as future level 5's. So my response is if you are not happy with how your child is being treated find a gym with a better outlook. I know for a fact that they are out there.
I think every coach/gym owner would say that they spend as much time, energy and effort with their lower level teams, but I totally understand how the lower level teams and their parents feel that way.
I, too, value each of my teams the same, and they all get the same attention/perks/fun at our gym, BUT...
Just take a look at the message boards - 80% of the teams talked about are level 5 teams, when discussing routines, worlds bids, etc. The most popular tee shirts and bows to be traded are the level 5 ones. Look up videos on youtube, and most (not all) of the routines that pop up are level 5. Level 5 teams typically go on later in the day, and have WAY more fans in the viewing areas, and they leave the level 5 awards for last, and pump up the music/suspense when they announce bid winners.... If you look at registration packets from various teams, it's often listed on the FRONT how many level 5 teams they field.
These are all things that gym owners/coaches can't control, but they do happen, and I think it adds to the feeling that lower levels are inferior.
But as POSITIVELYcheer said above, even owners/coaches who feel like they do enough need to keep this in the front of their minds. It doesn't matter how much you do, if it's not PERCEIVED as fair, parent's are going to be resentful, and go to that gym, where they'll put Suzie Show n Go on a level 5 team, just so she can wear the Tee shirt.
I would be interested to hear what you guys do, and get some ideas, for making our lower level teams feel special... or from parents who have suggestions on how we can celebrate those teams and make it feel more fair...
