04-07-2013, 03:01 PM
Just a couple of points about numbers in clubs. There are two parts to improve this. First, getting people through the door, and second, giving them a reason to come back. At the Uni club, we probably have more potential for getting new people through the door than most, but certainly some form of advertising can help any club. Clubs with functional websites will attract interest, and there is normally a steady trickle of new people who turn up all year round. The harder part is keeping them coming back, because like Steven says, there are a lot of different pursuits available.
Getting them involved is very important. Having a B team this year definitely went down well, and people seemed to want to play. If clubs can make more teams, then they definitely should. Another simple point not be overlooked, is to actually engage with people coming through the door, and every chess player has an obligation to the chess community to do so, imo. Of course, over pushing them can also have negative events. We organised a blitz tournament 3y ago, and when all the new members lost, they got disheartened, and never returned. What started out as a good idea to engage them backfired.
It's not rocket science really. Make people aware of chess clubs. Advertise club nights and events and people will show up. Then, speak to them (maybe at a pub afterwards) and figure out what they want from a club, and try your best to provide it.
Getting them involved is very important. Having a B team this year definitely went down well, and people seemed to want to play. If clubs can make more teams, then they definitely should. Another simple point not be overlooked, is to actually engage with people coming through the door, and every chess player has an obligation to the chess community to do so, imo. Of course, over pushing them can also have negative events. We organised a blitz tournament 3y ago, and when all the new members lost, they got disheartened, and never returned. What started out as a good idea to engage them backfired.
It's not rocket science really. Make people aware of chess clubs. Advertise club nights and events and people will show up. Then, speak to them (maybe at a pub afterwards) and figure out what they want from a club, and try your best to provide it.