Losing members through natural wastage is inevitable : age , infirmity and relocation all take their toll on membership numbers. But this should pose no problem for clubs if they can recruit larger numbers of new members. Here both committees and ordinary members have a big part to play. New members first have to be brought in by the front door , but the experience they get needs to be a positive one if they are be encouraged to stay long term.
The secret to recruitment is setting up and running successful bridge classes. People who might be "thinking " about taking up bridge are highly unlikely to turn up at a club " on spec " , but in a class of beginners many will be comforted by the fact that there will be others sitting in the same boat . Ideally , introductory classes should be free ( no off-putting price deterrent ) , and subsequent intermediate classes ought to be on offer with a generous refund discount on completion.
The next goal is of course to integrate these novice players into safe and friendly duplicate events , where a mentoring system is in operation. here all long standing members have a crucial part to play. Every effort must be made to make newcomers feel welcome , to be forgiven when nervous hesitation leads them into error , and to review the hands in a spirit of friendly advice , with an over-riding sense of humour and perspective.
Given that most players develop a tendency to partner people of similar ability, beginners are often left playing with each other. This may well cause them to be constantly demoralised when racking up one poor result after another , week in week out. So building up their confidence and self-belief is the key to developing their long term commitment to playing the game. This may require more and more events to be handicapped , in order to level out the playing field. Moreover , on any occasion when a mean spirited experienced player turns to the rule book to benefit from an alleged transgression , TDs need to make far more discretionary decisions in favour of those , who are only guilty of innocent or inadvantant mistakes. There is nothing more off-putting when seeing a top player psych , and then look to the rule book to further punish his /her hapless opponents. This happens when the gross deviation confuses them so much , they often make a stab-in-the-dark bid , which their partner ends up offering an improper or incorrect description , when asked by this oh-so-cunning adversary.
Bridge clubs can only survive if revenue streams are maximised . Clubs cannot afford to lose members unnecessarily . New blood may be the lifeblood of a bridge club , but not at the expense of old blood. However , it is my contention that membership numbers can be maximised if everyone adopts an attitude that the hustle and bustle that goes on inside a bridge club , is no different to the hustle and bustle of life. As bridge players we all need a good sense of humour , a great deal of patience and tolerance .....alongside a fearless and philosophical approach towards the game.
The secret to recruitment is setting up and running successful bridge classes. People who might be "thinking " about taking up bridge are highly unlikely to turn up at a club " on spec " , but in a class of beginners many will be comforted by the fact that there will be others sitting in the same boat . Ideally , introductory classes should be free ( no off-putting price deterrent ) , and subsequent intermediate classes ought to be on offer with a generous refund discount on completion.
The next goal is of course to integrate these novice players into safe and friendly duplicate events , where a mentoring system is in operation. here all long standing members have a crucial part to play. Every effort must be made to make newcomers feel welcome , to be forgiven when nervous hesitation leads them into error , and to review the hands in a spirit of friendly advice , with an over-riding sense of humour and perspective.
Given that most players develop a tendency to partner people of similar ability, beginners are often left playing with each other. This may well cause them to be constantly demoralised when racking up one poor result after another , week in week out. So building up their confidence and self-belief is the key to developing their long term commitment to playing the game. This may require more and more events to be handicapped , in order to level out the playing field. Moreover , on any occasion when a mean spirited experienced player turns to the rule book to benefit from an alleged transgression , TDs need to make far more discretionary decisions in favour of those , who are only guilty of innocent or inadvantant mistakes. There is nothing more off-putting when seeing a top player psych , and then look to the rule book to further punish his /her hapless opponents. This happens when the gross deviation confuses them so much , they often make a stab-in-the-dark bid , which their partner ends up offering an improper or incorrect description , when asked by this oh-so-cunning adversary.
Bridge clubs can only survive if revenue streams are maximised . Clubs cannot afford to lose members unnecessarily . New blood may be the lifeblood of a bridge club , but not at the expense of old blood. However , it is my contention that membership numbers can be maximised if everyone adopts an attitude that the hustle and bustle that goes on inside a bridge club , is no different to the hustle and bustle of life. As bridge players we all need a good sense of humour , a great deal of patience and tolerance .....alongside a fearless and philosophical approach towards the game.
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