Registered: Mar 2012
Location:
Posts: 6

Hello everyone!

I wanted to start this chat because I recently joined the NSCA board and my main objective is to help our member clubs generate and retain new members.

I was hoping some of you could comment on past experiences/programs (both good and bad) that your respective clubs put in place to try and generate and maintain new members or programs/events in place to help achieve this.

Thanks again for all your help!

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Registered: May 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3

Up Minnesota ways, my club did a sort of campaign. We all sat down one day and colored some posters which we put up around town.

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 371

Once you get the potential curlers in, one thing a lot of clubs are doing in Ottawa is to initiate beginner leagues. So, for the first year, new curlers are taught the basics. They often do not play a few ends until they have participated for a few months. Then, even when they play games, they have instructors on the ice to help them out and discuss shots, strategy, sweeping, etc.

You would need perhaps 12-16 instructors for a four sheet club, as you should have two per sheet on any given night and you could rotate the instructors, say every second week, or two out of three. Then later in the year, and into their second season, integrate the new curlers with the regular leagues.

Charge them a reduced rate for the league. Of course you will need some volunteers who have training in coaching. Some clubs pay the instructors a small fee and some high school kids might help if they need volunteer hours (but they cannot be paid if the hours count).

Retention levels tend to be higher if this is done well, as players do not get discouraged if they don't get it right away.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: Halifax
Posts: 59

We have a beginner's program that lasts all fall and has a low registration fee. After Christmas the beginners are integrated into our novice league, which consists mainly of 5-year and under players + more experienced skips. After that, the group tends to spread out through our regular leagues. Our retention rate has been quite good with this approach. It does require a number of volunteer coaches for the fall program, in addition to (I believe just one) paid person with a lot more training. In addition, our club does a number of social activities specifically aimed at new members, and also runs a bon spiel only for 5-year and under adult players. All these activities together have been quite successful at helping build up our membership.

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