| Wea re being told by the Governing Bodies, that membership is on the rise so I guess somebody is doing something right.
Many moons ago,(back in the 80's) I remember a survey going out to clubs (I never actually saw it) asking about membership and basicaly the question asked was:
Of people introduced into archery through courses/fetes etc how many are now left in the sport/club? The results were scarey, because when assembled it read something like this: Of 3,000 people introduced to archery, after 3 years only 3 were still in the sport and not necessarily shooting. I only got to see this report as I was British Champ (Indoor and Field) at the time and a power that be asked of my opinion as to why such a high drop out rate. Needless to say with a shocking loss rate, the complete survey and results never got into the public domain.
The numbers stuck in my memory and I still use it today when coaching someone who is struggling because the majority of folk do in fact struggle the most within the 3 years and leave our sport.
Those that get through the 3 year itch, probably stay with the sport for many many years. Unfortunately, these are very very few when you look at the whole picture.
You are not alone in the frustration you have, for I saw it in my own little club despite all my best efforts to keep them in.
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Keep looking ahead and you will not have time to look back.
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