From Tom Burgdorf’s Oct. 15th GYMNET Sports FREE Parenting An Athlete weekly newsletter:
We hate to do it in most cases. We know that there are relationships between the coaches and the athletes and their parents. We know the history. We know the ups and downs. We know that the athletes are sensitive and that the coaches are important to them. And we want it that way. But.
When you are running a business like a gymnastics club, martial arts business, dance studio, or similar business, the coaches have 2 jobs. One job is to coach. The other job is to be a productive, positive, loyal employee of the business. Not everyone does a good job at both. We have seen numerous times where the person is doing a great job with the kids and the parents but they are not doing a good job with the other coaches or maybe the owner.
For all of you who own your own business, I think you can relate. You might have the best chef in the city for your restaurant, but if she doesn’t show up on time, takes too much time off, etc., etc. you may have to make a change. That change being in the best interest of the entire business. …
So there can be a time when we give chance after chance for the coach to change but when they don’t we have to let them go. We know it hurts. It hurts us too. But the gym, our business, is more important than any one person, except for the owner who has risked so much.
What You Can Do
When a coaching change happens, use the situation to teach your athlete about business and about how sometimes changes have to be made. We don’t have to get into the negatives, just tell your athletes that not everyone fits into every situation. And that the coach will be happier in a new situation. Yes the coach will miss her/his athletes. And there will be a period of sadness for everyone. But in life you have to get over these disappointing situations and move on. The new coach will do a good job too. …
Coaching changes are a way of life. We all need to get through the situation and get back to normal as soon as possible.
You might want to subscribe to Tom’s FREE Parenting An Athlete weekly newsletter. Simply send your e – mail address to tom at tomgymnet @ aol.com and get it every Monday morning via e – mail.