A mother named Gabriella Rodriguez took to her Facebook to share about her ten-year-old daughter, Milaniya, facing harsh treatment from a guest choreographer during a short cheer practice session that lasted only three hours.
She explained how she usually keeps quiet about things, but this time she felt she had to speak up because her daughter had been hurt in a way that no kid should ever experience.
In the post, Gabriella described checking her daughter Milaniya’s Instagram one morning and finding a message that her daughter had sent to a guest choreographer who had come in to work with the team for just three hours.
She revealed how the words from the guest choreographer made her daughter feel worthless and nervous. The guest coach had singled out her daughter, telling her things like she didn’t fit in and would stand out in a bad way during competitions.
Above all, the guest coach spent the entire session criticizing without one word of encouragement.
Reading that message broke her heart. However, at the same time, it also filled her with pride because her daughter, who is normally quiet about her own problems but quick to help others, had found the strength to stand up for herself.
I was proud of her, proud that she spoke up, proud that she honored her feelings, and proud that she didn’t stay silent in a moment that mattered.
Gabriella Rodriguez
Gabriella went on to talk about the difference between tough coaching and bullying and said the guest coach crossed that line.
She explained that she respects and even prefers tough coaches who are strict and push kids to get stronger and more responsible. But she said what happened to her daughter wasn’t tough coaching, but it was mean bullying that hurt her feelings badly.
Gabriella chose not to name the coach publicly, saying she didn’t want to bully in return or seek revenge. Instead, she revealed the incident to call for accountability and better protection for all children in competitive sports.
She shared how her daughter came to the car afterward in tears, saying she felt worthless and wanted to quit the sport she loved.
Gabriella further explained that her daughter is usually tough, handles strict coaches as well, and never complains or cries at practice. Hence, this reaction spoke volumes about how hurt she was.
She spoke about the bigger picture, too, pointing out that coaches hold a lot of power over children and many carry their own unresolved pain that ends up hurting the kids they work with.
With children’s mental health struggles on the rise, she said that adults in sports need to protect young athletes rather than add to their pain.
You May Read: Hillcrest HS Coach Tyler Armistad Charged With Inappropriate Student Contact as School Sends Parent Alert!
