NEFTA have just asked on Facebook “where have the numbers gone”? It’s a big question and I don’t think there’s one thing you can point at and say that’s the reason, so let’s explore what I think are the reasons.
Promotion.
You don’t do any. That’s a short sentence but it’s the truth and when I mean promotion I don’t just mean putting a post on Shooting The Breeze. We have one club that has 350+ members but only puts out 6 shooters, you could start there, why is that happening?
What promotion are we doing at club level? All conversion starts at club level. At one point I know Anston was putting out 25-30 shooters per Winter League, that’s down to around 10 now. People have dropped out or moved on and haven’t been replaced with competition shooters, it’s easy to let it slip and it takes work. But if you don’t promote it then what do you really expect.
Training.
We need some, proper focussed ongoing training that doesn’t see new starters struggling and I’m not talking about 3 days then job and off.
I’m talking about people looking after people, checking their set up, shooting a course with them. When I started I was properly adopted by Dan Gilmartin, I think I shot with him every weekend for 6 months. I shot SFT with him and Phil for a long time before I decided I was going to do Field Target. I’ll be forever grateful to him for that.
Another person who gave me some good advice was Gilly. We shot a course together and then at the end he pulled me apart, I asked him to. The advice I got from that session was solid and I still put it to use today, more of the top lads need to do this but trust me when I tell you that you must listen to them because you only get one chance with some of them.
I’ve also received praise from people like Woody and Ozzy when I’ve shot with them, it may not seem like much but it did make a difference, just the odd kind word can make a difference.
I’d like to see us develop a proper training program with support after that would see most new starters sticking it out.
New Members.
Do you really want a shed of plinkers? You need balance at a club and that’s hard work but think on before you set on because I’ve been to clubs and seen people there that have never been seen with a gun, ever.
Courses.
They’re still too long and hard for new starters, 8 easy, 8 medium, 8 hard and rest disciplines. Get them to match the weather that’s coming, if we knew that was going to happen more may come out when there’s a gale blowing. There’s nothing wrong with the lower grades coming off with decent scores, you want them to come back right?
Travel
Encourage people to travel, take someone with you to regionals and nations, it’s a big part of the sport and your money is needed to help other clubs keep going or to buy those much needed new targets. I’ve learnt so much from travelling, it has a real value and is worth investing in. I’m a member of one club that puts out loads of good shooters on a Sunday but you rarely see any of them on the circuit and I realise it’s not for everyone but are we really doing enough?
I think if you do the above you will convert and keep more people than trying to do anything at a country fair or writing for magazines, I’ve done both and while they may feel important and good at the time, we all know it doesn’t work.
And while I’m here, moving to one session and 40 targets does not address the problem.
