He arrives in January. A mild man, dressed simply, voice never raised. He claps once for their attention. Instead of sitting on the floor for their stretches, he takes them through kicks and jumps, then jumping kicks, all of which make them laugh. They are paying attention.
He is Coach Petrovitch of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
As a gymnast, I looked upon new coaches with fear and curiosity. Would they like my gymnastics? What would they try to fix in me? Would they yell? These new coaches were almost unanimously male. Each brought his own trademark. It was a matter of how well his style blended or rose above the present coaching environment. Non-offensive or innovative coaches persisted; those who fell below phased out.
As a coach, I wonder: Am I going to be ousted?
My boss hasn't given any sign that she's displeased. But I know she's tired of parental complaints when the girls do poorly in competition. John and Greg have been at the gym for years, and if anyone's going to get the boot, it's this girl.
Coach P. has extensive international competition and coaching experience. One of his roles will be to mentor us, my boss explains. I like the idea of mentorship and learning. But I'm still concerned.
As January thickens, I hold my breath.
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Come work at my gym!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can be hired full time! The rec program is a joke and could use you! ... and you can be my sub for the team girls while I suck up and finish my last semster of nursing school. :) problem solved
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