Olympic Fencing Interest Kick

[griffindm]

Craig's Tenthousandfencer thread in the main section got me thinking on this. No matter how bad the media coverage is on the Summer Olympics is, we can expect more coverage than ever before (not that this is a high bar to reach). I've getting ready to have a discussion with my club's management team to review how ready we are to exploit this if/when it happens.

I'm interested in other club's preparations, if any, along the same lines. This involves marketing, staff preparation, modifying club operations (i.e. smoothing out the kinks), etc.

Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

Dave

[jbenjamin]

I think you have a point in terms of the Olympic fencing coverage. The club I go to is thinking of huge overhauls with the entire group-teaching system. Instead of 1 man/woman teaching about a group of 12-16 beginners, a buddy-system is being employed where in about 3 beginners are assigned to a more senior member for practice and basics.

[Cardinalred]

Our club's pretty much running business as usual, quite honestly. I'm not expecting much in the ways of fencing TV coverage. They've done nothing but let us down in the past, so why would it be any different this go 'round? I think our line of thought right now is that if they DO surprise us, and it generates interest, we'll capitalize on it but until then we're just not going to count chickens before they hatch and put a lot of energy there when it can be better spent on more tried and true areas.

[MdA]

I remember a surge after 2004 but it wasn't more then our established classes could handle. I would suggest that clubs be ready to answer the phones and have classes set up in August to handle any surge. Many clubs shut down in August...this would be bad...especially if the phone calls are not answered.

USFA national office should be prepared to refer callers to local clubs. Website better be up and operating.