If you have cheerleaders that continue to come back every year and have been there for years, and the gym continues to grow, that is the sign of a successful gym. Typically (I say typically because we know in a few cases there were circumstances that caused the gyms to close), but typically, the gyms that have been closing are ones that have lost cheerleaders or have not had enough sign up. You can talk all you want about program directors, owners, coaches, but a sign of success is how many you have walk through that door, and how many you keep. The more teams you have, the better the match is for ages and skill levels, and the better chance you'll have at doing well at competitions. You do well at competitions, and people want to sign up with your gym. It all ties in. People that have problems with coaches or owners don't stick around, simply put. So a gym with good numbers (I would say at least three teams) must be doing something right.
My girls are at a gym that I considered successful, but now it seems that the only thing that is on anyones mind is the Worlds bids and the level 5 teams. All the kids that were on lower levels have been overlooked. The Level 5 teams are ENORMOUS but all the lower levels don't even have enough to make 2 stunt groups. I think the Focus needs to be on the entire program not just Level 5 teams and Coaches need to be well rounded and build up the program and stop focusing only on Level 5 because those Level 5 girls only have a few years left on those teams. But I know people are going to fight me on this
I think all things Tie Together. Again, winning doesn't gurantee kids returning every year. If that was the case, then many of the programs would be larger. I think the following makes a successful gym.
*Good coaches *Good management, that follows up on customer service *Kids that feel challenged, but at the same time having fun *Structured practices *Team bonding ( I think most important, because if you don't like the team, then whats the point) *Doing well at competitions. That doesn't mean winning, but performing to the best of your ability. *Overall feeling of improvment individually and as a team.
I won't fight you on that one. It is important that a gym also focus on their lower level teams and build up their skills. That is where they will get kids coming back and eventually being on a level 5 team.
Successful Gym? wrote: My girls are at a gym that I considered successful, but now it seems that the only thing that is on anyones mind is the Worlds bids and the level 5 teams. All the kids that were on lower levels have been overlooked. The Level 5 teams are ENORMOUS but all the lower levels don't even have enough to make 2 stunt groups. I think the Focus needs to be on the entire program not just Level 5 teams and Coaches need to be well rounded and build up the program and stop focusing only on Level 5 because those Level 5 girls only have a few years left on those teams. But I know people are going to fight me on this
I agree. I think to much focus is on the level 5 teams. I think the best teams are maximizing each level and progressing. Many level 5 teams don't even have squad standing backs, or for that matter jumps into back tucks. Really build up those skills and treat all team the same.
We have the same problem in our gym... many people won't be back because of it. All of the kids need to feel important in their own way no matter what level they are, and it is not the case. Very sad the way things are evolving. Maybe some of the coaches and gym owners will read this and realize how people are feeling throughout the allstar cheer world...... it's not too late to make positive changes for this upcoming year.
In my opinion, it is all about the worlds bid. However, part of me doed not think that gym needs to be successful in order to have a level 5 team(s) that wins a bid(s).
I believe that in different types of success, a gym that feels like home and a gym that has good team chemistry and the numbers of athletes in the gym keeps growing and growing every year- that is succesfull. However, hidden behind the numbers growing is not a novice/intermediate team. I do beleive that in order to be successful, you need to have level 5 teams that athletes want to be a part of.
On the contrary, I do not believe that (for example) Airborne had any level 5 teams this year, but I've heard that they've had a great season! I believe they'll come back this year and be better than they were last. That, I think, constitutes successful.
For teams such as Airborne, what do you believe they did in order to become "successful," and how do you think other teams can become so as well?
Well, if you know OC All Stars, which I don't expect you all to, you know they don't focus on the level 5 teams. I am using them as an example because they are a very successful gym. With over 300 kids trying out this year, including MANY MANY coming from surrounding gyms that are still in full swing, it's easy to see they have what it takes. Below is a list of SOME of what they offer. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. But having every single thing IN PLACE for the entire season from the beginning is what it takes. Also, having others to help, more than one person to do the finances, direct the coaches, direct the extra classes, extra help to do all the extra things the gym may need is what makes them successful.
You can't think that your gym is going to live on your most successful team alone. They grow up and move on. Your future is in the kids who are new, young and just learning. You have to build a building from the ground up, otherwise it will fall. Having a level 5 team is what every gym aspires to have. But you can't expect your fulls and doubles to walk in the door and stay forever. It's tough to keep that going year after year. That is why OC has one senior level 5, one junior level 5 (a possibility of a coed level 5) and MANY MANY other levels other than that. But this is ALSO why OC has a Mini level 3 RIGHT NOW IN MAY and they may go to level 4. That is why OC had a Junior Prep Level 5. Those kids didn't come here with those levels. They were built. I hope this helps a little.
OC Mom
Not only do they have a president but also a cheer director, a dance director, a publisist, a booster club with a full staff of officers, three staff photographers that save the parents TONS AND TONS of money, but they also offer all of the surrounding high schools a place to practice as well as classes for kids who don't want to cheer. Their staff is well over 25 people who all do different things and then each of the 20 teams have two team moms/dads (yes dads) and "helpers". AND ALSO each team has student coaches who assist the head and assistant coach so the kids get help in all areas. There are coaches who don't coach teams but only coach tumbling, flying and technique. In the office there is an office staff, who is seperate from the cheer and dance directors who handle finances, class scheduling, new enrollments, mailings, and much more. You can see the staff and what they do on the website I hope this helps a little.
I agree. I am at a gym that has successful teams but every year we lose kids because of age and our little ones are bumped up to Senior teams. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against little kids on my team But its sad that some of these little 9 year olds have fulls and can fly they should be with kids their own age and then we would be able to have awesome young teams instaed of these level 2 teams all the time
See what you are saying totally and agree, mainly I was just saying within many programs lately there has become huge resentment when all of the focus only goes to the level 5 and or worlds teams as someone else stated. I was just suggesting for coaches and owners to realize how the lower level teams are feeling and try to make a change for the upcoming season to where everyone feels they are important.
