From the perspective of new shooters (I've introduced many), there are a number of areas where customer friendliness of F-Class can be improved compared with other available local shooting sports:
Before they arrive:
One of the biggest barriers is the uncertainty new participants have about how to prepare for their first match, what to bring, when to show up and what to expect. A number of local matches have conflicting or inaccurate information on their web sites regarding scheduling, rules, match fees, etc. Information regarding scheduling changes is often emailed directly to a distribution list without being posted at all the internet locations with the original schedule announcements. Twice in recent years, I have traveled a significant distance to attend a match with a new shooter only to find the match had been cancelled in the day or two before.
Many web sites do not have an approved match program at all, and others have match programs from prior years that is outdated. Important questions like whether F-TR and F-Open are grouped together or separated, whether classifications are used, whether the match is NRA Approved, Registered, or unsanctioned, etc. are unanswered. Many programs and announcements make a vague reference to things like pit duty and NRA rules, but new shooters are still uncomfortable with pit and scoring duties, and many show up with muzzle devices expecting to use them. (It's even worse when they are allowed to start shooting with them and then must be disqualified.)
Newbies also prefer attending events where recent results bulletins are available online. It helps answer questions like
-"Do other ladies or juniors regularly attend?"
-"Is my score likely to be competitive?"
-"Am I likely to come in last?"
-"How many shooters typically participate?"
-"Do they separate F-Open from F-TR?"
Lots of pictures of facilities and young friendly faces having fun on the web site is a definite plus. Pictures of old curmudgeons with $4k rifles are less appealing. Pictures of ladies and juniors holding awards are great. I've also seen a number of high power web sites and announcements for "Mid-Range Prone" events which do not even say at all whether F-Class is part of the program. Should emailing the match director really be required? Should newbies have to figure out that most NRA Mid-Range Prone events are likely to include an F-Class component and how to distinguish those from High Power events without an F-Class component?
During the match:
Probably the biggest turn-off to new F-Class shooters is the steady stream of unsolicited advice regarding expensive equipment upgrades, often before consideration is given to the scoring potential of their current equipment. Advice on how to improve scores without expensive equipment upgrades is more appreciated, as is advice regarding how to actually grow from where they are (which is usually below 560) rather than advice more suitable for improving from 590 toward 600. Also the volume of unsolicited advice tends to be overwhelming. New shooters can usually only effectively implement 1 or 2 new things at a time.
Compared with common match administration duties at other shooting events, pit duty requires much more attention to detail and has a steeper learning curve. Some matches can be very supportive, but it often comes down to who happens to be on the adjacent targets to the new shooter in the pits. New shooters would definitely be more comfortable with a more intentional approach to teaching them how to work the pits and a bit more patience with rookie mistakes. Under the time pressure of a match, I've seen new shooters get barked at in the pits too many times.
If a new shooter shows up without a more experienced shooter as a mentor, they would benefit from being assigned a mentor responsible to make sure the needed information gets communicated gently and they are not overwhelmed.
I've also seen new shooters treated poorly relative to scoring issues. One shooter was disqualified because the guy in the pits put up (or left up) the traditional paper target for sling shooters (larger scoring rings) rather than the F-Class center. No one noticed until the match was complete. While his score cannot count in a registered match, he should have been allowed a re-shoot. Likewise, on electronic targets, I saw an experienced precision rifle and bench rest shooter at their first F-Class match have match officials roll their eyes and refuse a challenge of a clean miss at 300 yards.
After the match:
In NRA matches, new shooters need to have the classification system explained to them and be given a temporary score book and shown how to determine their temporary classification and keep it updated until the NRA sends them their card. They need to know how they can receive the match results bulletin.
F-Class matches would generally be more welcoming if match results bulletins were easier to understand AND if directors made more efforts to recognize accomplishments. Even if there are not cash awards or trophies, does it hurt to recognize 1st and 2nd place ladies, juniors, and unclassified shooters in the bulletin? Does it hurt to separate F-TR from F-Open so that more shooters can be recognized?
Many local shooting events are now using an electronic scoring system called Practiscore. Shooters can see full match results by the end of the day and often immediately. In contrast, F-Class match results are often delayed several days. Some new shooters I know are still waiting to receive the official results of an F-Class match shot in early October. I'm not suggesting the use of Practiscore, but rapid and complete dissemination of the results bulletin would make for a more satisfying experience as it allows shooters to see how they compared with the other shooters in the event. (As a coach/mentor I can also see how this motivates the desire to improve and come back.)
Other:
Many new shooters, especially ladies and juniors, really appreciate clean, comfortable bathrooms close by. A note at the web site relating to these facilities would make match attendance more appealing.
Covered firing lines and covered pits are a big bonus in the hot sun or if rain is predicted. I've had newbies waiting to commit a number of times waiting for the weather forecast for uncovered firing lines, and I've had them bail on me even more often the night before or the morning of an event if it is raining and the line is uncovered.
Once I explain how the classification system works, about half the newbies I've mentored and coached prefer NRA sanctioned events with 60 or 120 rounds for record. They always have in mind their next classification goal, and events without half or all of the shots they need to make their next goal are much less appealing. We also had an unfortunate experience this year with an event that claimed NRA sanctioning in their announcements but was not, in fact, sanctioned. This was very disappointing for newbies who were hoping and expecting to progress toward or achieve their classification goals. Accurate communication of NRA status is critical. I can often convince newbies to attend unsanctioned matches, but they are more likely to take a relaxed, experimental approach (new rifle or new load) to those than really trying to post their very best scores.
I've also found high match fees a barrier to newbie participation. $50 is too much for a one day event. $20-$25 for a 60 round match is about right, maybe $35 if there are amenities that make for a much more pleasant experience (target pullers, electronic targets that work perfectly, covered firing line, great bathrooms, lots of awards.) Keep in mind that F-Class is competing with other local shooting options that probably offer new shooters their first tournament for free, and greatly reduced costs ($5-$15) for ladies and juniors.