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I’ve been hearing about declining participation It seems that to have a strong elite team,
the base of “grassroots” people has to be large. Despite the fact that “training smart” can make up for the smaller numbers, it is better to pick an international squad from 100 hard athletes than from 20 athletes.
Rowing clubs need to provide something that people want to do, in an environment that makes them want to be there, and provide professional service to their customers / members. New recruits go into a rowing club (or take their children to a rowing club) and are greeted by (pick one or add your own):
- “Hi, can I answer some questions?”
- “Hi, were you interested in rowing? How can I help?”
- “Sorry, we don’t have a programme for ______ school”.
- “Sorry, you (your son, your daughter) are (is) too young, come back in a couple of years.”
- “Sorry, you’re too old to row.”
- “Here, spend your first 2 years rowing in this 28 year-old-rusted-metal-rotting-wood-un-riggable history piece that one of the guys from the 1972 eight trained in twice.”
- “Yep, here’s a boat but I’m busy coaching these people and we don’t have anyone to teach you to row.”
Or pick your own variation.
What happens when a new member approaches YOUR club?
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