Club Problems

[Delta]

Over the years, I've watched a club (not one I fence at), but have many contacts who do go. The club went from okay, to bad, to worse. I mostly thought this was largely due to laid-back and recreational style of the club; most fencers were either on their way to college and left, those that remained had jobs and many other personal commitments, or were for kids looking for a way to have a fun way to get their feet wet.
Some observations and complaints from fencers (over the years) at this club is that they feel they have no motivation to get better, and any effort at progress becomes stagnated. After inquiring as to why, they believe it's largely due to the lack of options available and few, highly-rated, courteous fencers. If you want to fence in this area, this is the only club to go to.
This club used to have a much larger youth group attending, but now has much less than it ought to. Parents were perturbed by the lack of professional etiquette by management and coaches, not just by their behavior to the students, but their personal behavior towards each other has disturbed the safe and educational environment every decent club ought to have. Parents have tried to approach these issues with a number of ways, but it seems management has not been moved to make changes. Inevitably, club numbers have dropped and I'm not sure how much new blood is actually moving through the club anymore.

I feel badly for the parents and their children who were more than likely turned off from the sport due to some bad apples. Is this club doomed to die? Any ideas or solutions that have worked for parents/fencers alike? What has helped open a coach's/management's eyes to the problem if they are a part of it?

Also, does the power of the division whatever have any jurisdiction over the lack of professionalism and other related problems at this club or no? I really don't know anything about these things, so any information would be appreciated

Thanks everyone!

[Allen Evans]

The short answer is that a Division has no power to intercede in club politics.

The long answer is going to be very long, since your question boils down to: "Why can't smart people cooperate when it's in their own best interests?"

1. Their 'best interests" may be wildly divergent, and they are unable to share a common goal or vision. Or, by sharing a common goal, they may give up a power base or position they have grown acustomed to, or even feel that they need.

2. They may share a common goal or visiion, but are unable to agree on a method for arriving at it since the leaders may have different backgrounds. Or the methods may require scarce resources that someone has and doesn't want to give up or share.

2. The leadership of the club may be smart fencers or good coaches, but that does not necessarily guarentee that they understand good leadership, or how to run a business, ie, they may be brilliant idiots.

3. Other factors, not immediately apparent.

You must be young, or you would understand that in the case when there is a problem of communication/cooperation, it is very rare for someone to suddenly slap themselves in the forehead and say: "OMG, my insecurities and unwillingness to compromise are dooming this club/marriage/business/nation/planet. I've got to get my head on straight!"

If the club is managed by a Board or other oversight organization, perhaps they could step in and try to solve some of these problems (usually by firing a few people). Rarely do fencing clubs have effective boards, however, that can weild this sort of power, or even any sort of management structure at all beyound "I"m am the coach, and thus the boss of you."

AE

[Bryn Ralph]

Well said, Allen.

Bryn