A fanfare, cheerleadersand on the field, players galvanized by an entire high school that vibrates for them in the stands… In the United States where sport is a religion, young people practice their passion intensely, within their middle and high schools. To the point of integrating, for the most gifted, the quasi-professional teams of universities, often with a scholarship at stake. Basketball, American football, hockey, volleyball, baseball, swimming or gymnastics… For French people in the United States, supporting your teenager in these intense training sessions that punctuate their lives is an incredible opportunity, as much as a challenge. Because not everyone is a future Léon Marchand, the five-time Olympic medalist who trains in Texas. So, how much should we encourage them?
A dive into American culture
Arriving in Austin three years ago, Samuel, who until then played rugby, had a “ thunderbolt » for American football. At 15, he now plays in defense on his high school team. He trains 4 hours a day, from 6:15 a.m., surrounded by coaches and trainers. “ Almost professional supervision », welcomes his father, Joachim. Samuel’s dream? Join a university American football team. A holy grail that he could well obtain. “ We were lucky that he was spotted by the University of Dallas, who invited him to come watch a match and chat with the players, says Joachim, who postponed his trip to Europe to accompany his son, to November. When I told him, he cried with joy! He is the only one from his school to have had this honor. Since then, he has been even more motivated. »
In fact, sport occupies a special place in the lives of Americans. Because if, for the little ones, it is a leisure activity, the selections become more difficult as the young people grow up. In middle school and in high schoolbeing part of a team is a path to excellence. This involves adhering to a strict schedule of seasons, practices and matches; sometimes traveling across the country to compete in tournaments; to purchase expensive equipment; to participate in actions of fundraising and volunteering; to represent your school… All without letting your guard down on academic results. For families, a real commitment, coupled with an immersion in American culture.
« I think what Samuel liked most about American football was the enthusiasmunderlines his father. When he played rugby in Zurich, there were people, but here it’s another level. The stands are full, there are commentators, cheerleaders from middle school. It’s quite amazing! He likes the atmosphere and says he wouldn’t have been able to make friends so quickly if he hadn’t played sports. » Supporting his son’s passion is obvious to him. “ We don’t push him, he pulls us! Joachim testifies. For me, who didn’t have this chance, it’s a pleasure and not at all a sacrifice. We try to ensure that he keeps his feet on the ground, and to find options B if he cannot be professional, but we encourage him, because here, it is possible. »
A very (too?) demanding commitment
If it allows certain young people to deploy their talents very far, American sport, a system with a lot of pressure, can also discourage others. It sometimes comes down to the personality of a coach. Still in Austin, Elise, 16, stopped cheerleading after two intensive years of practice, disgusted by an overly strict coach. She had criticized him for missing training to go to a wedding in France. Anne, Elise’s mother, was her first supporter. “ Elise loved doing this sport and she was very strong. I would have loved for her to continue, but I respect her choice, I want her to be well », she emphasizes.
Thanks to many years of gym training, Elise joined, upon audition, the team of cheerleading of her high school, the “Warriors”, of which she had become captain. Because contrary to the image sometimes reflected by films, cheerleaders don’t just wave pompoms at the sidelines. These true athletes, who perform jumps, lifts and highly codified figures, train hard to make their school proud. Daily training, participation in matches on weekends, football lessons tumbling (acrobatic gymnastics) outside of school… In total, cheerleading requires 12 hours to 16 hours of gym time per week.
« It is very demanding, recognizes Anne, but that puts teenage girls at an age where they are looking for themselves », she appreciates. This mother also threw herself fully into the adventure: “ I went to almost every game. I was part of the board and took care of fundraising, says this midwife. We had to sell t-shirts and caps to finance the competitions. Of course, it required commitment and a lot of organization, but I loved it. » Her daughter experienced her departure as a “ release ».
When you reach such a level, the pace of training is not always possible to maintain, particularly for expatriates. “ Many Americans are fully invested, we did it half way », confides Elise, mother of Laure, 20 years old, who played volleyball for six years, including at a high level in high school, in Austin, before slowing down. “ We chose to return to France every summer and therefore not to stay for the volleyball camps.explains his mother, but I have seen parents dedicate entire summers to it, between private lessons and tournaments on the other side of the United States.»
If these years of volleyball were very demanding for her daughter and for her (with the famous refreshment chores!), Elise does not regret this choice. Laura warns “ the rigor of sport » et « team spirit ». His mother especially remembers the social aspect of the experience: “ In France, we never see that, except in professional matches, she emphasizes. I discovered the greatness and strength of sport in the United States.»
