Attracting New Members

[rodders]

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It has been mentioned before about attracting new members into whippet racing,and how to do it.Would like to suggest to clubs to open the doors to lurcher owners in there regions.I think this is the quickest way to encourage new members into whippet racing.At Notts & Derby WRC we have held lurcher races everyweek at club.This hasn't interfered with whippets racing,and is done while card is being written up.We've given them 2 races each and paid out,just like whippets.There is already talk from some about getting a whippet :thumbsup:Reason I've put this up is

Musclebound - Karen ex lurcher racer :lol:

Sugarmouse - Geoff & Hazel ex lurcher racers

Bigland Bailey - Russ ex lurcher racer

Our Ebby - Pat & Bob ex lurchers

Trelawnys Girl - Di & Steve ex lurcher racers

Ellie's Star - Mike ex lurcher racer

Cracked Charm - ex lurchers & New whippet racers :thumbsup:

List could proberbly go on,and feel free to add if you want to,but i'm sure you get the picture. :thumbsup:

So come on clubs,here's a chance to encourage new folks in.We often talk about membership going down.Would be great to talk about membership going up instead :thumbsup:

 

[sherry]

we have lurchers visit westerhope track regularly im sure if there was enuf of them terry wud put on a race for them same with pedigree whippets etc etc

 

[sherry]

karen can i ask wot made u leave lurcher racing and come into whippet racing?

 

[gabbitas31]

The best idea I've heard on here for a long time, I've 3 other dogs that could race then, Karen's right we started with lurchers and we wanted to try non peds, brilliant idea fully supported by me. :thumbsup:

 

[sherry]

same question 2 gabbitas wot made u come into whippet racing from lurcher racing? wot is the difference etc etc i know nowt about lurcher racing so im very interested

 

[gabbitas31]

The best idea I've heard on here for a long time, I've 3 other dogs that could race then, Karen's right we started with lurchers and we wanted to try non peds, brilliant idea fully supported by me. :thumbsup:

Sherry i can answer that question for you, with so many people running unregistered non peds in lurcher racing you don't stand a chance unless you get your self one.

can give you a longer answer later Sherry, i'm off to the dentist now. Di

 

[~Annie~]

Another idea for you if you're trying to boost membership ... having tried a couple of ped clubs we ran our oversized 32 lb plus ped whippets at Gin Pit one day and were made very welcome ... subsequently time constraints have meant we haven't been back, but we will try again on winter Sundays when we aren't lure coursing ... but as someone with no background in the sport who doesn't 'talk the talk' I did find the experience a little confusing and I wonder how many potential new members turn up once and then don't come back because they didn't really 'get it' (I've certainly spoken to two other people for whom this has been the case) ... maybe a leaflet to be handed to people on their first visit, explaining not only any club rules/who to pay/how to pay etc. but also all the racing terminology etc., would be a good idea (maybe some clubs already have one?). It's not meant as a criticism, but I have found that ped and non ped racers alike, however welcoming (and they all have been), do tend to forget that some of us really are starting from scratch, if you'll pardon the pun, and that can make the experience for newcomers less rewarding than it should be. Just a thought

 

[sherry]

The best idea I've heard on here for a long time, I've 3 other dogs that could race then, Karen's right we started with lurchers and we wanted to try non peds, brilliant idea fully supported by me. :thumbsup:


Sherry i can answer that question for you, with so many people running unregistered non peds in lurcher racing you don't stand a chance unless you get your self one.

can give you a longer answer later Sherry, i'm off to the dentist now. Di

im also off to the dentist @ 10am im either getting 2 teeth out or 5 teeth out ouch. hope iot goes ok for u.

 

[sherry]

Another idea for you if you're trying to boost membership ... having tried a couple of ped clubs we ran our oversized 32 lb plus ped whippets at Gin Pit one day and were made very welcome ... subsequently time constraints have meant we haven't been back, but we will try again on winter Sundays when we aren't lure coursing ... but as someone with no background in the sport who doesn't 'talk the talk' I did find the experience a little confusing and I wonder how many potential new members turn up once and then don't come back because they didn't really 'get it' (I've certainly spoken to two other people for whom this has been the case) ... maybe a leaflet to be handed to people on their first visit, explaining not only any club rules/who to pay/how to pay etc. but also all the racing terminology etc., would be a good idea (maybe some clubs already have one?). It's not meant as a criticism, but I have found that ped and non ped racers alike, however welcoming (and they all have been), do tend to forget that some of us really are starting from scratch, if you'll pardon the pun, and that can make the experience for newcomers less rewarding than it should be. Just a thought

a leaflet explaining it all is actually a very very good idea and i wud imagine wud b very helpful 2 newcomers

 

[Vicky]

Advertising locally as a "running dog club" would boost interest with all breeds, we've had pretty much every breed run up at Gin Pit and from the word go we've always had a few pedigree's, not only are these little dogs putting money into the club but they are faultless when it come to schooling non ped pups with.

I also think the BWRA & NNWRF should be doing more to promote big events like championships, articles in local papers leading up to big events would draw in spectators which can only be good for the sport.

We held a fun day a few years ago at Westhoughton, with pedigree, non ped, lurchers, retired greyhounds & non running dog classes which was a huge hit and got a lot of interest from the advertising we'd done locally, the paper did a really good article on the event and club numbers increased from it (incidently we've already got great sponsorship to hold another one of these events for early next year).

I think the leaflet is a really good idea, it's hard to spend much time with newcomers when you're busy schooling dogs / taking entries etc.

 

[Milo-Quin]

Old Hall is only 25mins from me . I have 2 non ped whippets that i race at lurcher shows . we do straight racing and hurdles. I thought it was a good idea to put lurcher racing and showing on at poolsbrook i dont show my dogs but i know a lot of people who do . Might have a change and do some non ped racing if my dogs will come out of the traps dont mind giving it a go . Pam

 

[rodders]

When Notts & Derby 1st started up,only a couple of lurcher folk came,but word soon spread :lol: Think a leaflet explaining how things are done,is a great idea,and will try and get something done for our lurcher show on the 27th(got to plug the show :lol: )We have one ped whippet that comes,the owner Andy already races in non peds :thumbsup: As things are at the min,it works really well.The lurchers have there 1st races while weigh in,and the programme being drawn up.Then they have their respective finals at half time for the whippets.We also do trials for whippets and lurchers during these periods.Not only does it make for good social evening,also brings some revenue in for the club.I know A&T cater for any other running dogs that go to their club :thumbsup: No reason why other clubs can't do the same.For those who want to give it a go.Maybe you could put something on the Lurcher forum on here,inviting them to come along.Next year if someone from the club could get out to a lurcher show in the area,and hand some leaflets out,think this would help too.I'm rabbiting on again :lol: So will just answer Carols question then i'm off.Had a fair few years lurcher racing Carol.Was never really into the showing,but as George and I had both had involvement in greyhound racing,the racing side certainly appealed.Over the time we raced,there were many times when we wouldn't run our dogs because of the state of the ground they had to race over,but we still managed to sustain alot of injuries on the dogs.When we had our last dog(Rodders) I hoped he would not be as big,as it was my intention then to come whippet racing.Unfortunately he made bigger than Harv,so lurcher racing we went,and unfortunately he did both gracilus,ending his racing career.You may get away running a whippet after these injuries,but due to the ground very doubtful you could continue in lurchers.So here I am :lol:

 

[mck]

Think these are great ideas,the one thing i found daunting when coming into non-peds was getting the dogs registered its quite alot to do when your new to the sport with no one around to guide you through it all,luckly i did so made the process abit easier.We would love to encourage more people down here in cornwall into non-peds but dont think we have enough people to start our own club!!!!!My main reasons for coming into non-peds from lurcher racing was safety,when your standing on the line ready to slip your dog you havent a clue what the dog next to you is going to do or if it has even chased a lure in its life!!!And you cant catch your dog at the end thats when accidents happen as me and my brother in-law have both found out with 2 of our older dogs receiving broken legs!So my point is in non-peds the dogs are cleared so they run clean and you get to catch the dogs at the end of the race.I could go on but i dont want to bore poeple i still attend the odd lurcher show but i love racing and Greyhound whippet x are my favourite of all the crosses so it made sense to come into non-peds.

 

[Finleyfoofoo]

Hi Karen,

I think its a great idea to get Lurchers racing too.Me and Pete just been talking about it,and we definetely fancy coming.It would make a change for us,get our Crackpot into something different.I was always put off with the non ped racing when i read a bit of the argy bargy and rowing that went on,but i suppose that happens in all sport :lol:

Amandaxx

 

[hellbound]

be nice to see you and cracker at none ped Amanda you can see his sister's Megan and tilly having a race :thumbsup:

 

[sherry]

Think these are great ideas,the one thing i found daunting when coming into non-peds was getting the dogs registered its quite alot to do when your new to the sport with no one around to guide you through it all,luckly i did so made the process abit easier.We would love to encourage more people down here in cornwall into non-peds but dont think we have enough people to start our own club!!!!!My main reasons for coming into non-peds from lurcher racing was safety,when your standing on the line ready to slip your dog you havent a clue what the dog next to you is going to do or if it has even chased a lure in its life!!!And you cant catch your dog at the end thats when accidents happen as me and my brother in-law have both found out with 2 of our older dogs receiving broken legs!So my point is in non-peds the dogs are cleared so they run clean and you get to catch the dogs at the end of the race.I could go on but i dont want to bore poeple i still attend the odd lurcher show but i love racing and Greyhound whippet x are my favourite of all the crosses so it made sense to come into non-peds.

not borin me @ all infact i find it very interested

 

[lukes racing machines]

im just bout to come into non peds from lurchers because in lurchers u get no credit for winning racing and showings more important lukily i hav got a well bred bitch put it to a stud dog pups are comin on a treat but must say theres alot to take in :wacko: but i honestly cant wait to start racing

 

[chill36]

Think these are great ideas,the one thing i found daunting when coming into non-peds was getting the dogs registered its quite alot to do when your new to the sport with no one around to guide you through it all,luckly i did so made the process abit easier.We would love to encourage more people down here in cornwall into non-peds but dont think we have enough people to start our own club!!!!!My main reasons for coming into non-peds from lurcher racing was safety,when your standing on the line ready to slip your dog you havent a clue what the dog next to you is going to do or if it has even chased a lure in its life!!!And you cant catch your dog at the end thats when accidents happen as me and my brother in-law have both found out with 2 of our older dogs receiving broken legs!So my point is in non-peds the dogs are cleared so they run clean and you get to catch the dogs at the end of the race.I could go on but i dont want to bore poeple i still attend the odd lurcher show but i love racing and Greyhound whippet x are my favourite of all the crosses so it made sense to come into non-peds.

gotta agree with everything you say,especially the registering bit :unsure: thanks for everyone`s answers on the other thread by the way our major concern was the ground that the lurchers sometimes run on,Lexi picked up a wrist injury about 3mths ago so the better tracks the whippets run on seem the better option.she will still do lurcher racing but will probably not run her on the worst tracks.also our"true" lurcher has been nobbled that many times she doesnt run very well anymore :angry: might see you at the whippets then amanda :thumbsup:

 

[jml]

Think these are great ideas,the one thing i found daunting when coming into non-peds was getting the dogs registered its quite alot to do when your new to the sport with no one around to guide you through it all,luckly i did so made the process abit easier.We would love to encourage more people down here in cornwall into non-peds but dont think we have enough people to start our own club!!!!!My main reasons for coming into non-peds from lurcher racing was safety,when your standing on the line ready to slip your dog you havent a clue what the dog next to you is going to do or if it has even chased a lure in its life!!!And you cant catch your dog at the end thats when accidents happen as me and my brother in-law have both found out with 2 of our older dogs receiving broken legs!So my point is in non-peds the dogs are cleared so they run clean and you get to catch the dogs at the end of the race.I could go on but i dont want to bore poeple i still attend the odd lurcher show but i love racing and Greyhound whippet x are my favourite of all the crosses so it made sense to come into non-peds.

Yeah well said Russ :thumbsup: been to some lurcher shows and the track is like a ploughed field (w00t) at the non ped meets you know what your gonna get, a good track and straight running dogs but we still try to support the lurcher shows down this way as they are very far and few between in cornwall and we wounld not want them to die out alltogether :cheers:

 

[rodders]

Hi Karen,I think its a great idea to get Lurchers racing too.Me and Pete just been talking about it,and we definetely fancy coming.It would make a change for us,get our Crackpot into something different.I was always put off with the non ped racing when i read a bit of the argy bargy and rowing that went on,but i suppose that happens in all sport :lol:

Amandaxx

Would be great to see you at Poolsbrook,when we start up again after winter,Amanda :thumbsup: Plenty of helping hands to get Cracker started out the traps,if you fancy a go at non peds.Would love to see him racing with non peds like his litter sisters :thumbsup: and don't worry about the argy bargy :lol: Non ped folk are a great bunch,we have a great time just like you do at lurchers,only difference is its all racing,and better competition you won't find anywhere :thumbsup: Looking forward to seeing Cracker at our show