As you know I have just returned from a rather lengthy work trip to Europe. My final stop was in the UK. I really enjoyed the pub culture. These pubs were not just places to meet and have a beer. They were parts of the community. They were set up to be comfortable and you did not feel rushed.
The 3rd place social theory.
In community building, the third place is the social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of HOME (“first place”) and WORK (“second place”). Examples of third places would be environments such as churches, cafes, clubs, public libraries, or parks. In his influential book, The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg (1989, 1991) argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and establishing feelings of a sense of place.
In short, it takes 3 places to make your life complete.
Your Home
Your Work
That 3rd place.
Our Gyms have become the THIRD PLACE for many, if not MOST of our athletes.
In Business there is also the rule of 3. There must be a working partnership between 3 individuals or entities. At it’s simplest form you have the raw product, the manufacturer and the consumer. In an office it could be the Owner, the Manager, and the Program Director.
Each person must be competent and have the faith of the others for this to be a successful relationship where the whole is greater than the individual sum of its parts.
Each of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of all of us. And all of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of each of us.
—Jim Rohn
In our gyms we must have a working triad between the parent, the gymnast and the coach. Each building up and supporting the other.
Our industry has been in crisis for a while. Instead of looking to build up the other parts, we look to blame the other entities and tear them down. I believe that in USA Gymnastics the BEST IS YET TO COME. We have great things left to do in all disciplines.
This can only be achieved if we are working together for a common goal. Our strength is in our membership. The partnership between the ATHLETE, the COACH and the CLUB OWNER. Each party must strive for excellence while supporting each other.
USA Gymnastics should be about the ATHLETES first. The athletes should be protected by the federation, USOC, Safesport and every coach and club owner.
I find myself in a situation where I am involved in trying to start 2 different organizations. One for the CLUB OWNERS and one for ALL PRO MEMBERS.
The US Gymnastics Club Owners Association has the promise of being an important part of that triad. Of offering a guidance, protection and a voice for the club owners. Our experience in gymnastics has taught us that failure and set backs are part of the learning process. Each board member brings our own views into the mix and that diversity is our strength, not our weakness.
The US Elite Coaches Association is trying to get the US Professional Gymnastics Coaches Association off the ground. This will hopefully complete the triad.
I was in a bar recently (big surprise) arguing over what the hardest skill was to learn in gymnastics. As this was an educated group of professionals we all were focused on the important basic skills.
- The Kip
- The Roundoff
- The Hurdle
- Handstand
Each skill (and a few more) were all a good argument. I was more of an observer (mostly because this was in Italy and the conversation was going a bit faster than I could keep up). They asked me what my opinion was.
My response, “L’abilità più difficile? Pazienza.”
I will save you the Google Translation. “THE HARDEST SKILL? PATIENCE”.
Our end of the bar got quiet. Everyone nodded their head.
I believe in these organization. I believe in the reason they were founded and I believe in the people who took action.
It will take time and patience for us to forge a clear paths.
These organizations could be the base of our future. Each working in the best interests of their constituents while supporting each other.
