In Cartersville, Georgia, a concerning story has surfaced about The Stingrays Allstars, a cheerleading gym that encourages teamwork and personal growth.
For 9-year-old Ellie Banks, a passionate Cartersville cheerleader, her love for the sport was met with an unexpected and devastating blow.
Her mother, Morgan Kaylee Banks, recently took to Facebook to share their bad experience, which raised a wave of support and revealed similar negative encounters from other parents and former athletes.
Ellie Banks, an Energetic 9-year-old, has been Engaged in the World of All-Star Cheerleading for Five Years
For the past two years, she’s been a part of The Stingrays Allstars in Cartersville, a gym that prides itself on producing outstanding skills and encouraging a supportive environment, according to its website.
Ellie’s journey hasn’t always been smooth in the last season, which brought challenges with a new coach and team, but she persevered, viewing it as an opportunity to grow.
Her mother, Morgan, encouraged her to stay strong and reminded her that setbacks are part of the process.
This season, however, presented an even bigger hurdle. Ellie broke her arm, a significant setback for any athlete, let alone a young cheerleader.
Yet, her passion for the sport never wavered. She attended every practice, camp, and team event, never complaining and always showing up as a committed teammate.
Her dedication was evident to everyone around her, making her a shining example of the values The Stingrays Allstars claims to uphold.
After Ellie’s cast was removed, she noticed she wasn’t getting as much practice time as before.
Concerned for her daughter’s well-being, Morgan approached Ellie’s coach in a private conversation on Monday night, sharing her observations as any caring parent would.
It was a routine interaction meant to ensure Ellie’s needs were being met. However, what followed was shocking.
The next evening, Morgan received an email from one of Ellie’s coaches stating that Ellie was being dismissed from the team due to Morgan’s alleged “gossip.”
The accusation left Morgan stunned, and she denied ever speaking to anyone but the coach and denied any gossip.
Desperate for clarity, she reached out to the gym through emails, texts, and phone calls, requesting a meeting to discuss the situation.
Her efforts were met with silence, leaving her and Ellie in a state of disbelief and upset.
Adding insult to injury, the Stingrays Allstars kept the family’s payment for the season, offering no refund despite Ellie’s abrupt dismissal.
For Morgan, this financial loss pales in comparison to the emotional toll on her daughter.
Ellie, who “lives, sleeps, and breathes cheer,” was devastated by the gym’s decision.
Her love for the sport remains unshaken, but the rejection has left a deep wound. Morgan’s post concludes with a powerful warning to other parents:
“Please, if you’re a parent considering this gym, think twice. They do not seem to prioritize the well-being, or happiness of the kids, and speaking up for your child could lead to unfair treatment.”
Via Facebook
Morgan’s Post Sparked Sympathy and Criticism of The Stingrays Allstars
Paula King, another parent, commented,
“These kinds of people are only concerned about winning and how they look… She broke her arm, and that means she might not be as strong. They don’t care if she’s happy or sad, they just want to win.”
Via Facebook
Paula suggested taking the gym to small claims court to seek a refund, emphasizing that Ellie didn’t quit; she was unfairly dismissed.
Kayli Brumbelow shared her own troubling experience with the gym, recounting how her daughter Annistyn was mistreated during tumbling classes.
Despite having a solid back handspring for two years, Annistyn was restricted to basic moves like round-offs and front rolls, with inconsistent instructors offering conflicting guidance.
After Annistyn left a class in tears, feeling belittled, Kayli requested a meeting with the gym’s manager but received only a dismissive, copied-and-pasted response that inaccurately downplayed her daughter’s abilities.
Frustrated, Kayli pulled Annistyn from the gym and found a better fit at C4, another local cheer program.
She wrote-:
“If you have to break a child’s confidence to train them, you won’t be getting our money,”
Via Facebook
Former cheerleader Kaitlyn Sherwood also came forward, revealing a disturbing incident from over 15 years ago.
After her father was paralyzed in an accident, Kaitlyn missed a few lessons due to family circumstances.
As punishment, she was forced to perform back handsprings for hours before being cut from the team.
Like Kayli, she recommended C4, praising coach Tommy Lane for his supportive approach.
Jenna Timms, another commenter, expressed empathy, stating,
“Just means they weren’t the right team for her! She deserves better! Makes my cheer & mom heart hurt!”
Via a Facebook
She suggested alternative programs like Devil Rays, Legacy in Rome, and Hotshots, noting that Ellie deserves a team that values her.
Parents like Morgan, who advocate for their children, should not fear revenge or silence from those entrusted with their kids’ development.
As for Ellie, her love for cheerleading remains unbroken, a testament to her resilience and passion.
Morgan’s post has sparked a more general conversation about the need for accountability in youth sports, particularly in programs like The Stingrays Allstars that wield significant influence over young athletes’ lives.
For now, Ellie’s journey as a Cartersville cheerleader continues, but her family is left searching for a new home where her talent and dedication will be celebrated, not punished.
Sounds like the mom violated a contract. My daughter cheers and I had to sign a contract that stats “Any negative talk/gossip or threats towards the gym/program results in immediate dismissal.” I hate that for her daughter, but sounds like the mother should have read the contract thoroughly.
This is common in the cheer world. Also I would watch posting something that’s fake news that affects another business. That could result in a lawsuit.
My daughter cheered for Stingrays Orange for many years. I have spent hundreds of hours in the parent room. The gossip and “cheer mom” mentality exists. Criticizing the coaches and even other young athletes was often the result of the parent wanting their child to be front and center. They want their child to be a flyer or be on a higher level team. Parents often threaten to leave the gym if not given their way. This mother just took it further and went to the media.
Stingrays is a powerhouse in the all-star cheer world. Athletes come from all over the country to cheer for them. They have produced many world champion teams. The coaches know what they are doing. Parents will be parents and if the coaches gave very parent and athlete their way, they wouldn’t be the one of the best gyms. Trust the process.
~A Stingrays Orange world champion mom.
Shame on them! The coaches should lose their job!