I was watching this video, now in the past I have said the numbers in the sport are on 7% decline. This video gives the true view of how the sport is going, do you agree?
https://youtu.be/y7ZMWsTtuFE?si=HonniHGjk_CjpsmC
Is this the true state of play.
I must admit I don't lie awake worrying about who is or isn't joining the sport. I am busy caring for my pigeons, and happily line them up against whoever arrives to send them. Whether there's 10 or 30 members sending, all you can do is beat them.
Greetings from the land down under. 
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
The decline will only acelerate as members get older. And I'm sure 7% is nowhere near the true decline. For every 'new' member the sport will be losing 10.Devo1956 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:36 am I was watching this video, now in the past I have said the numbers in the sport are on 7% decline. This video gives the true view of how the sport is going, do you agree?
https://youtu.be/y7ZMWsTtuFE?si=HonniHGjk_CjpsmC
If you don't mind me asking KIng, what % would you put it at? Thank you.king wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:50 pmThe decline will only acelerate as members get older. And I'm sure 7% is nowhere near the true decline. For every 'new' member the sport will be losing 10.Devo1956 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:36 am I was watching this video, now in the past I have said the numbers in the sport are on 7% decline. This video gives the true view of how the sport is going, do you agree?
https://youtu.be/y7ZMWsTtuFE?si=HonniHGjk_CjpsmC
Somewhere between 10 - 15% If what's happening with my local clubs is happening nationwide the decline is faster than many think. There is always going to be areas that fair better than others. The present trend to keep larger teams makes some clubs look healthy. But it's the number of fanciers sending, not how many they send that shows the true picture.Devo1956 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:59 pmIf you don't mind me asking KIng, what % would you put it at? Thank you.king wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:50 pmThe decline will only acelerate as members get older. And I'm sure 7% is nowhere near the true decline. For every 'new' member the sport will be losing 10.Devo1956 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:36 am I was watching this video, now in the past I have said the numbers in the sport are on 7% decline. This video gives the true view of how the sport is going, do you agree?
https://youtu.be/y7ZMWsTtuFE?si=HonniHGjk_CjpsmC
Thank you for your reply King, and great feedback on what you feel is happening.king wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 1:13 pmSomewhere between 10 - 15% If what's happening with my local clubs is happening nationwide the decline is faster than many think. There is always going to be areas that fair better than others. The present trend to keep larger teams makes some clubs look healthy. But it's the number of fanciers sending, not how many they send that shows the true picture.
I've not watched the video yet, but have read your comments, I can only speak about what I see happening around me.
At the moment we have some fairly strong organisations, especially around the Solent and Southampton area. In my immediate area we currently have two Federations competing for members, in the Sussex North road Federation we have around 100 members but probably only half of them regularly send. Unfortunately the age of our members is the concern, I'm 59 this year and probably one of the youngest, sadly we just don't see youngsters taking up the sport. As a result of this the bigger concern is just who is going to take on running the clubs when the current members of the committee decide to step down !!
At the moment we have some fairly strong organisations, especially around the Solent and Southampton area. In my immediate area we currently have two Federations competing for members, in the Sussex North road Federation we have around 100 members but probably only half of them regularly send. Unfortunately the age of our members is the concern, I'm 59 this year and probably one of the youngest, sadly we just don't see youngsters taking up the sport. As a result of this the bigger concern is just who is going to take on running the clubs when the current members of the committee decide to step down !!
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Diamond Dave
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:05 pm
There is no initiative from the RPRA to even attempt a recruitment drive and there never has been.
I have aslked this question before -What happened to the 'future of the sport' committee? What did it achieve, where are the results of the monies spent? It didn't and there aren't any - just another 'jolly' to gets freebie abroad to see how other countries addressed it!!
I went to an open day at a fishery last w.end it was specifically set up to give youngsters a go at fishing.
It was brilliant. Loads of fisherman gave up their kit for the day, free bait and a free bbq. The grandkids loved it and didn't want to come away. It was busy all day and I hope the fishery benefit from it in years to come.
There is no interest whatsoever from our governing body in addressing the situation and they seem happy to just sit and watch the sport spiral downwards into oblivion.
These ppl are clueless and obviously don't give a toss about the future while their own gravy train trundles along nicely!!!
I have aslked this question before -What happened to the 'future of the sport' committee? What did it achieve, where are the results of the monies spent? It didn't and there aren't any - just another 'jolly' to gets freebie abroad to see how other countries addressed it!!
I went to an open day at a fishery last w.end it was specifically set up to give youngsters a go at fishing.
It was brilliant. Loads of fisherman gave up their kit for the day, free bait and a free bbq. The grandkids loved it and didn't want to come away. It was busy all day and I hope the fishery benefit from it in years to come.
There is no interest whatsoever from our governing body in addressing the situation and they seem happy to just sit and watch the sport spiral downwards into oblivion.
These ppl are clueless and obviously don't give a toss about the future while their own gravy train trundles along nicely!!!
Dave I think Pigeon racing is VERY different to ANY other sport or interest. Fishing is something that you can do or not do at a whim. Pigeon racing is 24/7 and that is not an ATTRACTION to the young of today. I'm no fan of the way the RPRA is run but what do you want them to do? Spending huge amounts on recruitment, is a WASTE of money, they would be spending £1000s on getting a few 'new' members, and that money has to come from the members.Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:09 pm There is no initiative from the RPRA to even attempt a recruitment drive and there never has been.
I have aslked this question before -What happened to the 'future of the sport' committee? What did it achieve, where are the results of the monies spent? It didn't and there aren't any - just another 'jolly' to gets freebie abroad to see how other countries addressed it!!
I went to an open day at a fishery last w.end it was specifically set up to give youngsters a go at fishing.
It was brilliant. Loads of fisherman gave up their kit for the day, free bait and a free bbq. The grandkids loved it and didn't want to come away. It was busy all day and I hope the fishery benefit from it in years to come.
There is no interest whatsoever from our governing body in addressing the situation and they seem happy to just sit and watch the sport spiral downwards into oblivion.
These ppl are clueless and obviously don't give a toss about the future while their own gravy train trundles along nicely!!!
The sport is in a spiral downwards into oblivion, and fanciers HAVE to accept it. The YOUTH of today have other interests. Fanciers should forget about the sport going forward, that ship sailed 30 years ago. They should just enjoy what they have left. No amount of time and money and effort is going to bring back the glory days of pigeon racing.