Ideas to Increase Participation

[Bennybooboo]

All first-hand input is welcome, especially from match directors:

To increase participation at your events/matches, what are three different things you have tried in the last three years, and what was the result?

I'm always looking for solutions to move things forward

 

[60723]

I helped start giving medals for shooter of the year(1st,2nd and 3rd) but it did not increase participation in monthly matches. Had to shoot in 6 to qualify.

 

[Bennybooboo]

Shooter of the Year! Thats a new one for me!

Almost something like MVP? Most cumulative points? Most improved?

Please explain.

Achievement awards have definitely been a hit last year.

 

[323]

I will let you know after this years matches are over last year for our last LR match we provided lunch free of charge well not really match fee covered it and everyone was appreciative of that so we are going to continue that for all our LR matches. At our annual meeting I handed out plaques for 1-3 for each discipline. Everyone seemed to like that so will see if that increases the attendance especially at our midrange matches. One most probably don’t think about starting on time and not a lot of time standing around with your hands in your pocket. If our match program says we go hot at 1730 we will be going hot at that time.

 

[ELR LVR]

All first-hand input is welcome, especially from match directors:

To increase participation at your events/matches, what are three different things you have tried in the last three years, and what was the result?

I'm always looking for solutions to move things forward

The club I've been shooting with
Feeds ya lunch and has breakfast donuts in the morning
For me this is a big plus,
knowing I dont have to make a meal or take something to eat for the day

 

[ShtrRdy]

This may be a dumb question but what discipline are you thinking?

 

[Krogen]

Good subject, @Bennybooboo. I have chewed on this for quite a while. We manage to entice newbies to special events. They have fun. It seems they might get hooked, but we see very few of them return as regulars. I don't know how to make the interest stick. Some examples:

Precision Pistol (aka Bullseye): We usually put on a yearly clinic. Waived entry fee. We provide coaching, practice matches, and even guns/ammo if they're don't have their own. Always a good turnout, but we never see most of them return for regular matches. Our normal Precision Pistol matches are on a Sunday morning. Thinking the some folks are tied up Sundays, we installed lights on the outdoor range and host a Tuesday evening match. Thinking that this would entice a different set of people, we found that it's mainly the daytime crowd. More participation from more matches, but not additional people.

Silhouette: At the annual club meeting, we set up silhouettes. Some are the larger lever action silhouette targets at closer ranges, others are long range silhouette targets further out. We provide the guns and ammo. People have "buckets o' fun" but it doesn't hook them for the matches.

Our website has been somewhat useful in bringing in new participants, but certainly isn't a huge impact.

I wish I knew how to get more folks involved. Maybe somebody will post a great idea we can try.

 

[Texas Solo]

I started giving medals for 1st 2nd 3rd places. At least you get something back.
But I have to admit, my favorite places to shoot are those that feed me! Lindon does a great job of this. Usually breakfast biscuits in the AM, and Chic Filet for lunch.

 

[Secondistic]

I’m the President/BR Match Director for our club in Central WI. We joined Freedom BR last season. That brought us a few more guys consistently from 2+ hours away. We also started providing a lunch after the match. We have done club shooter of the year for some time, but started doing it for all 3 of our classes. LG, HG and Factory class.
I’m thinking of also doing a plaque for 2nd and 3rd place in each class at the end of this year. We also made a big investment in 14 ShotMarkers mid season. We use them for practice and sighters during the match. We use paper targets for the matches for now. We have a world record shooter in the club and a few others capable of it so we’d like to have paper targets in case. I understand there are “electronic” records also but we’re sticking with paper for record targets for now.

 

[Bennybooboo]

This may be a dumb question but what discipline are you thinking?

Thanks for asking, I run smallbore metallic silhouette matches at Cascade Shooting Facilities, just east of Seattle. 2026 kicks off this Sunday. Check the CSF silhouette website and Facebook page.

Over the last few years I've heard lots of people (participants and match directors alike) ponder declining competitor turnout over time. Heard at local and regional matches, articles, podcasts, etc.

The recurring things I hear is that there are a lot of things that factor into the equation for competitors; things like associated costs, travel logistics, time, and other obligations. These are things I have absolutely no control over as a match director.

You wonderful people are giving me lots of ideas of things that I can control to improve what I offer.

So far, the things that seem to come up frequently are awards, food, and accessibility.

Keep the ideas coming, all.

Everybody can benefit from this discussion!

 

[323]

Also I’m running a couple of cmp sanctioned LR matches reason why cmp allows AR tactical class to shoot on the LR face 1 moa x ring 2 moa 10 ring. We did it last year we had 5-6 AR 10/15 shooters. So hopefully they show back up and bring more of there buddies . CMP sanctioning is easy if your club is not CMP affiliated then they are doing everyone a disservice.

 

[Websurfer]

Most folks like to see their names in print, so posting match results, in magazines and/or here on AccurateShooter, and maybe some pictures/photos, sure helps.
One of the club VFS matches I attend started this year by giving out a pin to whoever wins each target. So, five pins, plus a trophy for the winner of the club VFS match. A lot of clubs give an award to whoever gets the most X’s.
I’ve shot a lot of matches that give out “top 3” (1st, 2nd and 3’d place) awards, which is good, too.

 

[Kevin1990]

^^^^Websurfers idea is what id love.

As a casual "competitor" at 2 clubs for the past year, I can tell you what I like and dislike. I shoot at one club that does 200 yard f-class matches. They have maybe like 4-10 shooters depending on the month. You shoot, pack up and make room for the next shooter, and they post the shot marker results in an email and that's it. Its infuriating, 0 recognition for a "winner" and the results on the excel spread sheet are sloppy. You're basically getting up early to go shoot 60 shots at a range and go home. I could do that any day of the week. If a winner was declared, or a congratulations, tracking points, shooter of the year etc., id be excited to go and continue to go. I love shooting, but a little operant conditioning with a reward so to speak for a job well done would keep me coming back! I drive twice the distance to a different club that at least declares a winner at the end, and you get some handshakes, and good conversations.
Maybe an end of the year banquet, to hand out awards, shooter of the year, smallest group, etc. The food people have mentioned would be awesome! Keep in mind, I have no idea what it takes to run matches, but being a new shooter, I figure Id voice my opinion.

 

[Fuj]

A slogan from most car dealerships....."Service after the sale".

 

[lawman29]

If all of you think about it, what exactly are "new shooters"?
In reality they are the 'younger' crowd. They are not folks like me... Getting me to come to a shoot doesn't do anything for the future. So ask the question of younger shooters, what's important to you? Younger I define as someone with kids still at home etc (45 and under).
Look down the line and ask, who isn't planning their pending retirement, retired or on Medicare...

 

[Sandstorm]

they are the 'younger' crowd. They are not folks like me.

The biggest problem with the younger crowd is that they most likely have a new family, car and house payments and basically no money or time for anything else....sad fact of life.
I did not start competitively shooting until i hit my late 50s because life got in the way of doing anything
that took time or cost money.

 

[JB10]

I dont compete, but what about a factory class? The cost of a good custom is up there a bit. I think many own a factory rifle that they could take out to have some fun with.

 

[Websurfer]

Someone bringing donuts or tacos in the morning is really nice. Ditto for someone bringing bottled water on hot Texas days. Creating a text message or email group keeps everyone informed, and facilitates group dinners before matches the following day (for out of town matches) or lunch after a match. Text or email groups also facilitate selling things

 

[moondog]

I know it's corny, but some recognition is nice. The monthly match in Raton gives some payback. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, FNG, High Senior, high Junior, high Lady.

 

[jcline]

I have found that if you give them a fair match, make everyone feel welcome and be a mentor to anyone you can possibly help by answering questions and giving advise, they will come. I personally try to call the people that attend and make sure they are invited and we appreciate them shooting with us. Results clearly show it helps and is working.

Think outside the box and try to include EVERYONE no matter what organization they shoot for or what discipline they shoot. The Tack Driver is an example of all of the above and look at the success it has. Lastly keep them on their toes and CHALLENGE even the best shooters who have already accomplished about everything in their own disciplines. True competitors love a challenge. Listen to what they have to say and take constructive criticism!