So, my granddaughter is a freshman in HS. She is swimming on a USA team and her HS team. The HS team has about 60 swimmers--walk on, no try outs. Of those 60 only 4 girls (3 seniors & my DGD) are truly competitive. There are some who can not yet swim a complete lap(pull self along on lane ropes). Some team members haven't paid their booster fees.
The coach insists on taking the WHOLE team to every meet so everyone can have the "meet" experience. Because some members haven't paid booster fees there isn't enough money for the WHOLE team to go to large/competitive meets and the coach refuses to leave the 'non swimmers' or deadbeats at home. He has cancelled every out of town large/competitive meet that requires an over night stay. I don't believe this is fair to the few competitive swimmers on the team who are hoping to be seen by colleges.
Any thoughts on how to approach the situation?
Thanks!
Deadbeat is my word not hers. What else would you call someone who doesn't pay fees? And, before you come back with maybe the parents can't afford the fees, let me tell you what her parents have done. They sponsored 10 swimmers who couldn't afford the fees to the tune of $500.00.
I'm not sure what I would call someone else's family who either couldn't or wouldn't pay fees. I'd likely call it none of my business and move onto matters I can control.
Rather than call out your own generosity what many teams are doing when faced with the relatively new aspect of fee based HS sports is to work together on local sponsorships or other revenue producing activities. Get a local restaurant to buy ad space in the heat sheets and in return you will hold all team meals there. There are plenty of creative ideas out there.
And, honestly, if a kid or parent came up and told me as a coach they flat wouldn't swim an event, guess what, they wouldn't swim any events.
Deadbeat is my word not hers. What else would you call someone who doesn't pay fees? And, before you come back with maybe the parents can't afford the fees, let me tell you what her parents have done. They sponsored 10 swimmers who couldn't afford the fees to the tune of $500.00.
I'm not sure what I would call someone else's family who either couldn't or wouldn't pay fees. I'd likely call it none of my business and move onto matters I can control.
Rather than call out your own generosity what many teams are doing when faced with the relatively new aspect of fee based HS sports is to work together on local sponsorships or other revenue producing activities. Get a local restaurant to buy ad space in the heat sheets and in return you will hold all team meals there. There are plenty of creative ideas out there.
And, honestly, if a kid or parent came up and told me as a coach they flat wouldn't swim an event, guess what, they wouldn't swim any events.
