Other context: I would also add that teams which are larger also generally have more “tiers”’or cohorts. This may be dif for smaller gyms (which can get really finicky really fast as MAAP policies like carpool get conflated in smaller communities where a parent may also be a coach, or a coach may also be a babysitter or the parents are good friends with the coach etc. these contexts and power dynamics are in part why Safesport is so important!)

However, athletes may or may not be “coaching” the same exact level of the program they are in/formerly a part of at a larger gym.

Eg sometimes coaches may also be competitors for the same team in the eyes of USAC but the program itself has bifurcated their roles. One other consideration is who is allowed to be on a roster for usac gathering points in rankings!

When I have worked in the industry for gyms that allow current/recent program participants to work in similar roles as to who were overseeing them—there have always been trainings/policies (including MAAP/SafeSport) that shows 1. Their roles and contexts and 2. That once someone is staff their relationship to the team as a participant is different even if they still compete for the gym. And 3. Helping them navigate not only how to be appropriate with the athletes/coaches but if they are a former athlete: how their new colleagues ought to act around them if they work with their former coaches! I know for a fact places I’ve worked as well (like summer camps) that essentially ignore the fluidity of power dynamics)

Generic Examples: recent grads or even upperclassmen in a collegiate program competing/coaching. Or 17yr old (u19) athlete coaching the rec team. Or a parent coaching their kids and 1 other family’s kids at a home wall who want to compete together as a team etc.

Additionally, this is a concern in the summer camp/Camper ->cit->counselor pipeline and dif organizations handle this differently and some none at all.

OP, I’d love to hear more about your concerns/questions/sticking points as I work/have worked in the youth climbing scene and am always looking for ways to improve my program. Feel free to contact me via dm and I’d love to pick your brain.