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Aug. 4th, 2011
Fencing Club Update
Aug. 4th, 2011 09:15 pmThe fencing club is doing well. Sometimes I forget that it has only existed for 7 months and feel a bit down about progress, so it's worth reminding myself just how well it's doing.
We have 27 members, just need to get 3 more and I'll have reached my goal for the first year. The Nunawading session now regularly has around 10 fencers, which is enough to pay for itself. Despite less than 30 members, we have solid groups in all three weapons - the epeeists rarely show up, but that's fairly typical for epeeists.
A couple of members recently represented the club at a competition for the first time, and intend to do so again. Several others are showing an interest. We're planning a couple of club comps before the end of the year, and a couple of social events.
I've been using the blue club-kit from Leon Paul, and I'm really pleased with it.
Not only is it hard-wearing, has the extra padding, and doesn't show dirt, but unfailingly the new fencers look down at their blue kit, look over at the other fencers in their whites, and say "I want to buy my own equipment".
That includes people who've been happily using regular smelly and dirty club equipment for years. (Although I was amused when I took some of my beginners up to Olinda, they were very unimpressed by the club kit there, having been slightly spoiled with my sweet-smelling blue kit ;)
I'd recommend them to any club wanting to encourage members to buy their own stuff. It's true they can't be used at competition, but so far people are buying their own gear within 6 months, I've only needed to get out the white competition gear for one person - who is also working on obtaining their own.
We have 27 members, just need to get 3 more and I'll have reached my goal for the first year. The Nunawading session now regularly has around 10 fencers, which is enough to pay for itself. Despite less than 30 members, we have solid groups in all three weapons - the epeeists rarely show up, but that's fairly typical for epeeists.
A couple of members recently represented the club at a competition for the first time, and intend to do so again. Several others are showing an interest. We're planning a couple of club comps before the end of the year, and a couple of social events.
I've been using the blue club-kit from Leon Paul, and I'm really pleased with it.
Not only is it hard-wearing, has the extra padding, and doesn't show dirt, but unfailingly the new fencers look down at their blue kit, look over at the other fencers in their whites, and say "I want to buy my own equipment".
That includes people who've been happily using regular smelly and dirty club equipment for years. (Although I was amused when I took some of my beginners up to Olinda, they were very unimpressed by the club kit there, having been slightly spoiled with my sweet-smelling blue kit ;)
I'd recommend them to any club wanting to encourage members to buy their own stuff. It's true they can't be used at competition, but so far people are buying their own gear within 6 months, I've only needed to get out the white competition gear for one person - who is also working on obtaining their own.
Changing Jobs
Aug. 4th, 2011 09:36 pmIn other news, I've handed in my notice at work. My last day at Coles will be Sept 1st.
I feel better already. But I'm sure the midnight-5am change on Sunday, and one last week on-call will stop me having any second thoughts.
I've never been very good at staying unemployed. I need a break from IT, I'm burned out, but I'm lining up a little training and some work coaching Fencing at schools. I like coaching.
Financially, I've got about 6 months or so to figure out if I can make a living at that, before I have to consider getting a real job again.
In theory I should have a few relatively quiet weeks of R&R and prep-work before term 4 coaching starts, I have to remember not to fill it up completely with all the stuff I haven't had time to do recently.
Such an awful lot of stuff to do...
I feel better already. But I'm sure the midnight-5am change on Sunday, and one last week on-call will stop me having any second thoughts.
I've never been very good at staying unemployed. I need a break from IT, I'm burned out, but I'm lining up a little training and some work coaching Fencing at schools. I like coaching.
Financially, I've got about 6 months or so to figure out if I can make a living at that, before I have to consider getting a real job again.
In theory I should have a few relatively quiet weeks of R&R and prep-work before term 4 coaching starts, I have to remember not to fill it up completely with all the stuff I haven't had time to do recently.
Such an awful lot of stuff to do...