Switching teams - rising Junior

[Anonymous]

DD had a great season this year with her club team.

Sadly, the coach who helped make this such a wonderful season for DD and her teammates is leaving. The remaining coach who will take over the group has some serious deficits with effective and positive communication, And although he has promised to improve his communication, I have deep reservations about staying on the team for this reason. From what I have gleaned so far from other parents is that many of DD’s teammates are leaving or are considering leaving for other teams. I don’t know of any so far that have for sure committed to staying, but I haven’t talked to everyone. it would make a big difference to DD if she knew that some of her friends were coming back next year.

They really had something special this year with not only the coaching that led to so many swimming improvements, but also that the coach facilitated an atmosphere that led to the kids really connecting with each other. For the first time in a long time, DD really enjoyed practices this year.

So, that is gone. Now we have to figure out what we’re going to do next. We’ve been with this team for many years and since my daughter is going to be a junior, I am a little bit worried about putting her on a team where she would be new so late in the game, even if she is a strong swimmer.

DD is fast but not heading towards swimming D1 in college. She loves swimming, but is also a serious student and is socially active and involved in some other activities that she cares about. So she is having to think about whether she wants to commit to 5 to 6 practices per week or keep it at three or four.

If anyone would like to share any success stories about switching club teams, so late and high school, please share here. I know that larger teams would offer more options in terms of practice groups and competition, but maybe that’s not what my kid needs. Travel distance is also a factor and it would be hard to beat the current team’s location.

[Anonymous]

My DS left his team of 6 years in Spring of sophomore year. We knew the coach of the club team he was moving to so he didn't have to try out or wonder what the coach would be like. His previous team was just not exciting for him and the new coach was someone my DS really liked working with previously. So that made the decision pretty easy. It was closer to our house too.
Once you are in high school and they've been swimming for your club team, high school team and summer team, these kids know everyone (or at least a few people so they are not walking in as an outsider).
I will say it was tough for about 3-5 weeks. DS felt the new program was harder and he was tired. He had new people to meet and of course had to adjust to a new way of doing things at practice.
In the end, he is so much happier because the new group really felt like family. They did more things together and he didn't regret his decision at all.

Go for it unless travel time is going to be an issue. For us, travel was easier so that helped.

And by the way, we weren't the only people who moved and some kids moved toward the end of junior year. It happens. And it's not a big deal.