RPRA Oct meeting

[Bowbroom]

For those interested, here’s a couple of further points
1. 2026 subs £38 per member (£33 to HQ £5 to region)
2. Membership decrease of 1896 (14%) last year at this rate there’ll not be many left in 5 years time

[king]

For those interested, here’s a couple of further points
1. 2026 subs £38 per member (£33 to HQ £5 to region)
2. Membership decrease of 1896 (14%) last year at this rate there’ll not be many left in 5 years time

The last published number of members I saw was in 2023 which was 15,500, so it's now less than 13,604

[Bowbroom]

The published figures are always a year in arrears as these are, they cover membership up to sept 25 which in reality means sept 24 to 25
If the decline of 1896 in year is correct and this represents a drop of 14% then the current membership is nearer 11,000

[Bowbroom]

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone have accurate current membership figures for all the home unions?

[Diamond Dave]

I am not saying this to be facitious in any way BB but I would imagine that their membership would be on the rise - maybe wizh natural wastage it might at least be stable.
would be very interesting for everyone to see if the details could be obtained and compared.

[CHARLTON34]

My club has maybe 12 members, but only 7/8 probably still race.
I can see the decline continuing & the RPRA having to raise the membership fee each year.
For what it's worth I think the fee should have been set a lot higher many years ago, but with that accountability they should of been more transparent in how they operate, moved with the times of modern technology, sponsorship etc, probably missed an opertunity but it is what it is.
As I've said before fancier's only want to race there pigeons & aren't interested in the politics or want to try to change things, so this is what we are faced with a declining membership.
Wish it could be different with younger people coming into the sport but I think this is a very tall order unfortunately.

[king]

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone have accurate current membership figures for all the home unions?

The last NEHU I saw was 3,364 but that was a few years go now. Belgium is below 15,000 France around 8,000 Holland around 15,000

[king]

My club has maybe 12 members, but only 7/8 probably still race.
I can see the decline continuing & the RPRA having to raise the membership fee each year.
For what it's worth I think the fee should have been set a lot higher many years ago, but with that accountability they should of been more transparent in how they operate, moved with the times of modern technology, sponsorship etc, probably missed an opertunity but it is what it is.
As I've said before fancier's only want to race there pigeons & aren't interested in the politics or want to try to change things, so this is what we are faced with a declining membership.
Wish it could be different with younger people coming into the sport but I think this is a very tall order unfortunately.

A rise years ago would not have stopped members leaving. The RPRA is too big for the number of members, it costs more to run than it should. Each meeting costs them £7,000!

[CHARLTON34]

So are you saying King the RPRA is hemorrhaging money annually & will never be in a position to say they have balanced the books ever.
Why does it cost that much to have a meeting King, you can see why the overheads are crippling, only a matter of time before we all go past the point of know return.

[Bowbroom]

The RPRA is in financial surplus now the cynical might say that’s because subs have gone from £10 to £38 in 3 years