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I'm all for getting kids into shooting...but they do have a tendency to be keen when they're young, and then give up in their late teens (which is natural...I did), so are an investment in the future, as some will return to the sport later in their life...but many don't...

In my opinion the people to target are the 40s to 50s...like my self, they're getting too old for football and rugby...or they're at a stage in life when they may have some spare income and/or time...

...with shooting, even at 50 you can have another 20/30+ years of sport - Gallery rifle isn't equipment intensive or particularly expensive...and I think would appeal to many middle age folk as an alternative to golf...

Dougan wrote:I'm all for getting kids into shooting...but they do have a tendency to be keen when they're young, and then give up in their late teens (which is natural...I did), so are an investment in the future, as some will return to the sport later in their life...but many don't...

In my opinion the people to target are the 40s to 50s...like my self, they're getting too old for football and rugby...or they're at a stage in life when they may have some spare income and/or time...

You are dead right with this analysis. This has to be accepted. You can hook the youngsters when they are very young (12-18 etc) with the view to getting them to know the sport exists but they will leave to do other more interesting things - who wouldn't?

The only discipline I know who do seem to get a hook into the youngsters and early and have a relatively high retention rate is TR. Numerous reasons for this and like it or not the public school system has a lot to do with it. For my discipline (GR&P), essentially what was pistol shooting, we rely on the local clubs to pull people in and promote the sport.

Some clubs are better than others for this.

nfrancis wrote: The only discipline I know who do seem to get a hook into the youngsters and early and have a relatively high retention rate is TR. Numerous reasons for this and like it or not the public school system has a lot to do with it.

One of the good reasons that TR has a high retention rate at Bisley is the social life that comes with it. Its not just about the shooting - its the friends, drink, fun and partying that keeps them coming back party2 :cheers:

Take the Surrey RA for instance - a few years back it was going under. Now, by being the clubhouse of choice for the younger shooters, it is a real success story thanks to certain hard-working club members who have put a lot of voluntary time into it.

Make shooting fun and that will attract and keep them - even if it is just a drink at the local pub/club after shooting.

I started shooting because I fancied some bloke - I stayed because Central London Polytechnic Rifle Club knew how to party. Oh the tales I could tell . . .

*picks up notebook*

"carry on snitching, ooman..."

I started shooting because I fancied some bloke ... Oh the tales I could tell .

Viking ...
Time for a sub-forum called "Hey shooter take a walk on the wild side"
and dont forget Karen :

karen wrote:

nfrancis wrote: The only discipline I know who do seem to get a hook into the youngsters and early and have a relatively high retention rate is TR. Numerous reasons for this and like it or not the public school system has a lot to do with it.

One of the good reasons that TR has a high retention rate at Bisley is the social life that comes with it. Its not just about the shooting - its the friends, drink, fun and partying that keeps them coming back party2 :cheers:

Take the Surrey RA for instance - a few years back it was going under. Now, by being the clubhouse of choice for the younger shooters, it is a real success story thanks to certain hard-working club members who have put a lot of voluntary time into it.

Make shooting fun and that will attract and keep them - even if it is just a drink at the local pub/club after shooting.

I started shooting because I fancied some bloke - I stayed because Central London Polytechnic Rifle Club knew how to party. Oh the tales I could tell . . .

Apart from fancying blokes!!! I go to Bisley for similar reasons. Shooting at Ponteland or Catterick just doesn't have the same appeal or satisfaction.
Worth a 700 mile round trip 6 or 7 times a year. I don't drink (well, very little - a pint or two in the Old Sergeant's Mess) and I don't smoke so I have to spend my pittance of a pension on something 'coz I'm sure I'm not leaving any behind when I leave this life.