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Caitlin's cheer coach approached me last night to talk about an opportunity for Caitlin. There is an independent organization forming a Level 5 team and they are taking on girls/boys from different gyms to form a team that would compete at Worlds each year. This is a nationally televised event and the ultimate experience for any dedicated cheerleader. They are picking up to 5 people at numerous gyms all over the Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex. The idea is that these athletes would still train at their home gyms but meet somewhere once a week to train with their Level 5 teams. Caitlin has been asked to join among 2 17-year old girls (twins), 1 19-year old boy, and one 23-year old boy. The problem is, Caitlin is only 12 and you have to be 14 to compete at Worlds. The other problem is, she would be able to train at her home gym, but she would no longer be able to compete with her Level 4 team. Each athlete chosen for this independent team would still represent their home gym. Kind of hard to understand. Caitlin is so excited about this opportunity because she can finally learn so much more than what she has. Im not so sure because of her ITP (she'd have a new coach) and she is so young. She'd be able to compete with this team until they go to Worlds, then she'd have to sit back until she is old enough. (Which is 3 seasons from now bec you have to be 14 on Jan 1st). I am proud that she was selected but i think im going to tell them to wait another year or two. I know Caitlin will be disappointed, but shes with a team that knows her so well and knows to be careful with her. Theyre talking about forming a junior level team if they can find enough girls/boys from all of the smaller gyms. These Level 5 teams would compete against Level 5 teams at large gyms in our area or from other states. (This is for those gyms who have athletes who are ready but the gym will probably never have enough girls at that level to form their own team.)

Hey thats a brilliant achievement for Caitlin. Bet you are so proud of her. One of my friends kids is the english champion at her age for acro-gymnastics which I imagine is a bit like what Caitlin does; if so, its a fantastic thing to watch. I think I would probably have the same reservations as you about it, just because of her age, not particularly the ITP, but you clearly do need to be comfortable with it - good luck when you tell her if the answer is "not yet"!

Ali

Caitlin decided on her own that she didn't want to leave her friends on her Level 4 team. She asked that she gets trained on more Level 5 skills so that she will be completely ready next year or the year after. One of her coaches (one of the people doing this team) told her that she is already better than 90% of the people on that team (new team) and really should think about doing it now. Apparently they have known about this for over a month and have been doing practices together. The owners of the gym (good friends of mine)really don't want to lose her so they told the coach to let us make the decision on our own. They told us that the Level 4 team would be at a great loss if they were to lose Caitlin now, but they would support us on whatever decision we made. (That made Caitlin feel good so she said she would stay if they continue to train her on higher skills.)

Tryouts are July 11th for this new team. They go to camp next week and many of the people from different teams will be there and some of them will be trying out for this new team so hopefully they don't try to change her mind again.

Wow - Go Caitlin, GO! I'd love to see her cheer sometime. DO you have any video on Youtube?

Yes there several videos taken and put on from other moms. I will email you the keywords to type in because im afraid if i type the team name and someone does a google search on this gym, then someone from the gym could read on here and i dont want them knowing everything about her. There are only a few moms, the coaches, and the owners who have any idea she has ITP.

I understand that. I don't post things like that publicly either. I'll look for her!

I found it. Was she the tiny one with the blond pony tail? They are good!

Yep, that was her! Thanks!