Market research question

[Steve Lovatt]

What are people's views on having lady's , juniors and veterans as seperate classes for prize money , we charge juniors £10 to enter and have done this now for eight years or so

I have historically worked on the principle that every one has a classification so you are shooting against people in the same average band , this way it don't dilute the class prizes too much , but I also realise that certain people in categories love to win and have their names in lights . Over to you folks , thoughts please

Steve

 

[Macc Ladd]

My thoughts are neither for or against. You have been doing it long enough, and most shooters wouldn't mind either way. Or maybe those in contention for placings ie a good junior In B class for instance taking the big prize!! But I would trust yours and other ground owners decisions. Just keep bringing on those great targets, that's what we want!!

 

[Steve Lovatt]

Thanks mac Ladd , that goes without saying , our target quality is always paramount in what we do

 

[Jaykaysea]

Nice to encourage 'minorities'to shoot...it is always nice to win and there are never many ladies shooting so I think anything you can do to encourage them is good...prize doesn't have to be massive...maybe just a free shoot next time...

I know some men think it unfair but hey ho...only my opinion....

 

[K80 TCG]

Steve I think you have it right, shooting is a equal sport (hobby), no advantage is had by being a bloke, a classification is a classification. I have been beaten by colts juniors and ladies, by ability not because of their sex or age.

I would say however a trophy for the young lads or ladies would be encouraging for them, best colt or junior of the shoot etc.

But on the other hand, as soon as they beat me they should be banned until they are 18!

 

[Will Hewland]

I think it is patronising to give a prize if there are three entries or lower in a category. (Equally I think it's rough to only pay down to third if there are 40+ entries, but that's another story).

Ultimately Steve, you need to do whatever you find encourages people to shoot more. You run enough shoots at enough venues that you have the ability to trial things. I'm not sure anybody will go shooting just because they think they will be a class winner? Certainly they will shoot more if they enjoy it. Agree with Macc Ladd, the overall quality of the event is the big draw.

 

[Shaun Hopkins]

Am all for separate classes and prizes.

my wife has all but stopped shooting her local ground because they refuse to put on a ladies class based on the theory that not enough shoot there Umm! build it and they will come springs to mind!! Abbey shooting club at detling cater for most classes with prize money and reduced entry for women and juniors cannot help but notice more women there :nyam:

 

[maddmatt]

I would say you want to be careful not to dilute the prize money currently available in the classes, yes I know shooting is not about the money but if you win your class its nice to get something back, if you add too many categories you might be spreading the prize pool too thinly, just IMO

 

[ips]

Edit

 

[Guerini Guy]

imho : -

Money stays in classes, and maybe a prize placing for every 5 x shooters in that class.          eg : 20-24 shooters in C class = prize money to fourth place / 25-29 = prize money to fifth place, etc

But good to provide other incentives for ladies, juniors and colts. Personally I like the idea of maybe a few carts (say 100) plus a "free shoot" ticket. That is a genuine incentive and, I would think, a relatively cheap alternative for the ground owner.

Also, if any ladies, colts or juniors shoot well enough for a class prize then they should be taken out of the other prizes.

 

[Dog Tyred]

I've often wondered how the class prize fund works. Is it paid out on class basis, subject to how many shoot (and pay into the prize fund) in that particular class or is the total prize fund pooled for all entries and equally 'divied' up at the end??

The later seems to be the fairest way to me although I suspect its the former.

As for additional prizes for ladies, vets, junior, colts, etc I guess it depends on the number of entrants but I would have thought a trophy, medal or even some cartridges would be amore appropriate reward for those catagories.

DT

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Why not adopt the international way..?

Ladies half price....juniors free......if either figure in the class prizes then they have the balance taken out before the money is awarded.

 

[Hamster]

I have never felt quite at ease with the idea that a man can get nothing shooting 2 clays behind HG score yet watch juniors and women win their class with substantially lower scores and get a worthwhile prize or cash award. This is rewarding skill in one and providing encouragement in the other regardless of the fact that winning amongst a handful is much easier than besting dozens of capable shots.

Personally I think even the class structure is counter productive to the pursuit of true excellence, I have long felt we'd be taken more seriously if all the money went to the best shooters, there have been many lady and junior shots who are capable of featuring amongst the top half dozen on merit.

 

[Dog Tyred]

Why not adopt the international way..?

Ladies half price....juniors free......if either figure in the class prizes then they have the balance taken out before the money is awarded.

Sounds good with one small amendment. Anybody wanting to recieve a cash prize should actually contribute towards it to make it fair onall other shooters. Therefore ladies half the birds only plus the full contribution to the prize fund and juniors just pay towards the prize fund. If you just want to shoot BO then leep it as you say.

DT

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Sounds good with one small amendment. Anybody wanting to recieve a cash prize should actually contribute towards it to make it fair onall other shooters. Therefore ladies half the birds only plus the full contribution to the prize fund and juniors just pay towards the prize fund. If you just want to shoot BO then leep it as you say.

DT

Yes ...sorry I forgot to say that in the real competition world there is no birds only and it is a scratch event with category winners only - no classes (But no chance of our Sunday shooters taking on board that sort of suggestion :laugh: which makes the prize money even better) :wink:

 

[Hawkeye]

Give the choice of entering class or category for a while to see which they choose. 

 

[shootinguru]

oh yeah and don't forget Veterans and super vets shoot 1/2 price as well! :hunter:   :hunter:   :hunter:

 

[Jeremy Baker]

Yes in essence.

Offer the chance to enter "competition" at maybe higher rate if reduced rate offered for entry under normal entry conditions.

I think for your larger competitions a definite yes.


Sent from my mobile that's my excuse for typos and errors.

 

[FloaterSi]

Prizes, cash or otherwise, always seem weird to me.  It drives up the cost of shooting, benefits very few people and promotes cheating.  I would far prefer to shoot for honour, or even getting your name recorded somewhere.