Ben, I see what you are saying and agree with some of it.
Extra money for clubs might be better replaced with lower prices for joining AGB.
Clubs can share some indoor venues to keep costs down.
I wonder how many archer would want to be a member of a bigger club than the one they now attend. Some really small ones I guess. But why are those clubs so small anyway? Not all could sustain a larger membership.
Lion, more clubs in archery deserts would be a great idea. First find a venue with prospective archers. I am not aiming that at you doing all that. I can think of an organisation that might.
How much of what we are discussing, is actually going to spread anywhere when those who posted get to their respective clubs?
I will be feeding back to the club at the next committee meeting.
Geoff
Sadly AGB are not going to reduce their prices.
I've often wondered how it works for clubs to share facilities. Anytown Archers and Anytown Toxophilites join forces to share their local school sportshall. AA have 10 members charge £2 per week but have no other facilities and no equipment. AT have 20 members, charge £200 per year, have a good stock of club equipment, coaching and a field during the summer. The sportshall costs £100 per weekend.
How many AT members will switch to AA because its so much cheaper, despite the better facilities, coaching, equipment?
Should each club pay half of the sportshall fee? After all, its 2 clubs.
Should AT pay more because they have more members and more money?
My own club is in a predicament where we're verging on being too big for our (hired) indoor facility, but we dont have a big enough membership to be able to afford our own indoor range without significantly increasing subs. With double the membership, we could probably afford our own place, but we dont have room for our membership to build to that level. Catch 22. Council funding goes to the football clubs because there are far more of them.
Finally for now, you speak about more clubs in archery deserts.
One thing that makes my blood boil is the number of people who say "I've got access to a big field where I shoot"
Its never a case of asking their local club if they want to come and shoot with them on their big field. A case of "I'm alright Jack!"