I have my competition teams set up based on age and experience of the students. I have a mini, petite, junior, and teen team. I have recently had an opening come up in my teen team. I have decided that the fair thing to do is offer a tryout for any junior dancer to fill that spot in the teen team. The junior will only be trying out for a spot in one teen routine and will remain in their junior groups along with this position.

I have had a parent complain and say that she feels that a tryout is not a fair thing to do because the three girls that have been offered the tryout have danced together for two years and the ones who are not chosen will get their feelings hurt. She also feels that having an audition between three girls for one spot is unfair. I have tried to explain to the parent that trying out is part of the nature of sports. At some point every student will try out for something and won't always get it. Then it was suggested that her student is the oldest in the junior group so shouldn't she get it based on age? I then explained that it is not an age thing, I am trying to fill the spot to do what is best for the group. Then i explained by just choosing based on age is unfair to the other students when all three are equal in ability and each one deserves an equal oppurtunity.

Am i doing the right thing by having a tryout for the open spot?

Yes, your absolutely doing the right thing. You need to fill a spot, the logical thing is to fill it with the person who best fits there. Had you just chosen one of the three girls invited then the mother would have said the other girls didn't get a chance. I would tell the mother that this is what you have decided is the fairest way to fill the position. The invitiation is open for her daughter to audition and you would love if she would, however they have the right to decline the invite and leave the option open for one of the other two girls. Being on the team, especially the senior team is a privelidge and she should be greatful that this oppportunity was extended to her daughter. Maybe she doesn't have enough confidence to think her daughter can take the spot, or she just thinks her daughter doesn't want it? There are students that dance together for 5, 6, 7 years and then get separated. It happens. Why would she want to hold any of them back from that type of opprtunity is beyond me. Stick to your guns, leave the offer open to audition. If she shows then she has just as good of chance as the others, if not its her own loss.

My first reaction would have been to not fill the spot. I am not sure if this possible in your situation, but I would rather re-work things in a creative manner than to try to fill it. Only because it has the potential to open the can of worms that you are seeing.

If you are going to fill it, I think it would be fine to either audition for it or fill it by your invitation (which would be based on the original audition and the students' work ethics thus far into the season.) If you are going to audition, I think it would be smart to open that audition to ALL junior company members (even those who you know will not be filling the spot.)

By filling the spot, no matter what method you choose, is going to cause someone to be hurt and someone to potentially get a big head and/or be ostracized by the remaining group members. The parent's suggestions were as legitimate as having and audition, but don't necessarily prevent the problems that she is trying to prevent. I would simply let her know that you appreciate her concern and you are trying to do this in a manner that is not only fair, but also as caring as possible. However, you've made your decision and there is no further discussion at this point.

If she is truly concerned for her daughter's emotions, than she should not allow her daughter to be auditioned or considered.

I think it is solely your decision to make on how you want to go about filling in this spot. Maybe the mom doesn't think her daughter will get it based on dance ability and is trying to sway you in order for her daughter to get it . We don't do are comp. teams solely on age either but on how the dancers look (some girls are very tall and look older and should be put where they look more uniform together)and there dance ability. Don't let this mother second guess your decision to hold a try out, it's only for one dance anyways. I think it's a good decision because like you said trying out for stuff is a part of life. We had an issue kinda like this where 2 best friends tryed for something and only one got it. The girl that didn't get it was happy for her friend and never had a bad attitude about the situation. I think it has alot to do with how children are brought up to deal with rejection. Let me know how it goes, hope I helped a little!!!