High turnover rates at fencing clubs

[LTranter]

The only problem I have with this is that sometimes members of my club come only to socialize and it is like pulling teeth to get them to pick up a weapon or participate in footwork drills. If they don't want to fence and only want to talk about what they did over the weekend, that is what telephones and AIM is for, not practice time. I have no problem with people socializing and being in their little cliques at practice, just as long as they practice. Fencing is a great sport to make long-lasting friendships...mostly because after you are through stabbing each other you go out and get IHOP or a round of beer (for those members who are of age).

I agree with you there, when you come to the club to fence, that is what you should do. This past year I have become a PR committee of one for our club and it's like pulling teeth to get our coach/president to approve social functions, but I'm getting there. The bread and butter of the club is the kids and I think it is important to nurture their friendships away from the club so that they are more supportive of each other at the club. Also, it doesn't hurt the club when 10 kids show up to bowl and they are all wearing club t-shirts.

As far as attrition goes, if we get 2-3 people for our beginner's class which is a 6 month long set of classes we are lucky. Fencing 1 usually starts in the 20s, Fencing 2 has about 10-15 and if we have 8 for Fencing 3 with the above 2-3 joining the club, that's a good result. That said, I would rather have those 2-3 be productive energetic fencers, than 15 who just wanted to show up occasionally to poke a foil at somebody. I must say that, when we get that 2-3, they do tend to hang around for awhile.

L

[milstdfarm]

I feel your pain. But the problem of dropouts has nothing to do with fencing. It's a common problem with clubs of all kinds. Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Rotary, Music Lessons, even Churches, share these problems.

I don't know the answer. Video games, TV and the sofa are powerful adversaries.

I would love to hear suggestions of things that worked to keep people active in all types of clubs, not just athletics. I think many of these techniques could work in fencing as well. Please post your ideas.