Plowboy
somebody shut me the fark up.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2006
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
The Poll/Thread on contest fees for non-KCBS got me thinking about the growth of the "sport". In the last ten years, there has been a charted explosion of new teams and new contests. The two go hand in hand in that more teams on the scene drive demand for new contests. Conversely, more contests inspire new teams to jump into the fray and encourage emerging teams to stick with it.
So which is the primary driver of this equation of teams and contests for growth of the sport?
From my experience as a competitor in the Midwest, I think its the supply of contests that has the most affect on the size of the "sport". It is true that we can have more contests on a given weekend than other parts of the country. The contests sizes can be fairly large even with competition from other contests in the same weekend. A new team that has to beat 50 or 100 teams for a GC or even a ribbon may be discouraged and quit. I've seen it. So, the more contests that spring up, the ratio of contests to teams reduces and gives newcomers more of a shot at "success" as they hone their skills.
Could NEBS, as example, have a different view of this dynamic where more competitors are needed to justify the need for more contests? I don't know.
This is important for folks like KCBS to understand where to focus attention for growing the sport. It could be a different focus for different regions. I wonder if our BOD members and those seeking BOD positions have a perspective on this. Would be an interesting question for them.
Or is it all about financial sponsorship of teams and contests that drives growth?
Discuss...
So which is the primary driver of this equation of teams and contests for growth of the sport?
From my experience as a competitor in the Midwest, I think its the supply of contests that has the most affect on the size of the "sport". It is true that we can have more contests on a given weekend than other parts of the country. The contests sizes can be fairly large even with competition from other contests in the same weekend. A new team that has to beat 50 or 100 teams for a GC or even a ribbon may be discouraged and quit. I've seen it. So, the more contests that spring up, the ratio of contests to teams reduces and gives newcomers more of a shot at "success" as they hone their skills.
Could NEBS, as example, have a different view of this dynamic where more competitors are needed to justify the need for more contests? I don't know.
This is important for folks like KCBS to understand where to focus attention for growing the sport. It could be a different focus for different regions. I wonder if our BOD members and those seeking BOD positions have a perspective on this. Would be an interesting question for them.
Or is it all about financial sponsorship of teams and contests that drives growth?
Discuss...