We all have our priorities. It has always been a goal of our Jr. Olympic program to remember there is more to life than just gymnastics (at least occasionally.) The following are the priorities as we see them – “we” being all our coaches, staff, and administration, essentially the program as a whole. Whenever there is an issue with attendance, among other things, we will look to the following priorities and hope that things are prioritized the same for the active team member and their family:
Priority #1 = Family (besides regular time; emergency’s, planned vacations or outings, etc.)
Priority #2 = Academics (science camp, excessive homework, planned group projects)
Priority #3 = Church or religious activities if engaged in this in any way
Priority #4 = Gymnastics (or other CAL SPORTS team sport focus)
Priority #5 = other sports, music, activities, fun with friends/family, etc.
When asked why a gymnast missed a practice, competition, or event and any of the first three priorities are mentioned, then the coach should never question it. However, any good coach and program is going be concerned with any other event (noted under #5) taking priority over gymnastics. For example, going last minute with the family / relatives / friends to dinner, Great America, the beach, or an overnight party, instead of practice – would fall under #5. Such an unplanned outing we believe is something that can and should be planned around workouts or events. It doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen, but don’t expect your coaches to be too supportive. As is the case at all levels – attendance matters. You may find that you can maintain certain skills, but at higher levels more consistent days and hours per workout will be necessary to progress further. An extra 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week, 48 weeks a year, is an extra 60 hours of training or just over 17 days at 3.5 hrs. per day. Do you think an extra 17 days of training could make you better than the next athlete? Ask the US Gold Medal Men’s team of 1984 and they’ll tell you that’s exactly the formula they used – an extra 15 minutes of hard work at the end of every day – the hardest time to give your best effort.
Balancing the priorities listed above will help accomplish your goals, and our program’s goals. Above all things keep an open line of communication to your coaches, Managers, and the Directors. Remember the Tetrahedron! We want your child to grow and become the best they can be while they are involved with us at CAL SPORTS. We can only do that if we all work together – athlete, coach, parent, and administrators.
