Are Airfares Killing Tournaments ?

[Graham]

Well I guess the days of cheap airfares are well and truly over .. 2 years ago I was able to get a return flight to Melbourne for the AO at Easter time for just over $200 from memory .. right now (still 3 months out) it is $420 with Qantas and $460 with Virgin. Add on top of that entry fee, meals, accomodation, it turns into an expensive weekend for everyone.

And only 52 entries this weekend in Adelaide .. are airfares part of the reason for the decline in numbers at the big tournaments ?

 

[strop]

When numbers were high in the sacup years ago, airfares I think weren't the answer.

 

[RobbieB]

Where have all the bowlers gone?

Here's a really off-the-wall idea; has anyone actually ASKED the bowlers who have stopped bowling tournaments WHY they don't bowl anymore? AMF must be able to put together a mailing list of a couple of hundred ex-super6 & Grand Prix bowlers by now. Send out a questionnaire and ask them why they don't bowl in these events any more.
For that matter, there are probably a few on the forum - anyone want to share some insights?

 

[craig]

$$$ dollars $$$

10 years ago a trip from geelong to s.a cup would cost me & travel partner john burns

$150 entry
$100 motel each
$50 fuel each

if you made the cut you broke even, and thats travelling from interstate

now you have to run top 7 roughly to break even

the guys in adelaide were always great hosts, but even their great hospitality wouldn't have me digging in my pocket to the tune of $800 - $1000
from brisbane.

i do agree that flying costs have to come into the equation, as well as fuel as it would nearly cost me as much to drive. might add to this later, especially when it comes to having to renew your equipment more regularly like i have once previously mentioned.

 

[wchester]

Four reasons why I've quit bowling tournaments.....

1) I like bowl with the plodding along speed of the "Tortoise". Most Australians prefer to race all out to the finish line like the proverbial "Hare"
It seems that the tournament directors have decided that it's their way or the highway..so I've chosen the highway.
Case in point...while I was competing in my final tournament last July in Bendigo, with just one match play game remaining, I was harassed by the bowl manager/tournament director between games. He was totally out of line and I was so upset by his sarcastic remarks that I bowled a whopping 146 game and barely hung on to win the tournament.

2) I bowl for the thrill of competing and respect, not for the money. Imagine my disappointment when, after winning the Goldpin Grand Prix BendiGold Rush..I DID NOT RECEIVE A TROPHY ! The money's long gone..it'd be nice to have a trophy to remember the victory. Nice way to treat your bowlers... NOT!

3) Tournament formats are just plain... too damn long. I'n not a kid anymore and bowling 30+ games in two days simply takes too much out of me physically.

4) I have other plans for the future..can anyone say Mr Chairman? lol

As for the airfares...They're still cheaper than those in the USA and if you plan ahead and keep your eyes open, some great deals can be found...Personally, I bought a ticket to the Gold Coast the other day for $132.00 return from Melbourne.

 

[BrenH]

As a Uni student the biggest consideration for me is the travel expenses.

I've planned out which tournaments i'm going to do this year and i basically had to rule out all the tournaments in QLD because i just can't afford to do them.
For me to do a tournament in VIC (my home state) i'm basically looking at the entry fee and thats about it cause i can usually manage to stay with a friend if accomodation is required.
I know from the few interstate tournaments i did last year that the cost for me basically doubles for NSW and SA tournaments and its more than double for QLD events.

I don't think that travel costs alone are behind the decline in tournament attendence but it does mean that some people have to choose which interstate tournaments they attend and which ones they miss.

 

[Dj bruv on da mix]

I looked at fares for sa cup (Launceston to Adelaide) and the best fare was with virgin at a nice $554.63 return, due to the long weekend etc, so at a cost of:

AIRFARE $554
ENTRY $300
ACCOM $120
SPENDIN $200

total = $1174 min.

so i would of had to of finished around 5th to break even, which is not that good, i bowl to catch up with mates and the little holiday , and if u can make a few bucks on ur way thats all good. the solution hold more tournaments in Melbourne, as im pretty sure the majority of tournament bowlers come from Victoria and New South Wales, just a thought there for AMF to consider.

Mark Foster

 

[wchester]

Mark...I just checked and even today...just a few days away from the SA Cup, I can get tickets from Launceston to Adelaide on Friday and return on Monday for around $450.00
Perhaps you need a travel agent since you have such a hard time finding good fares...Anyone else travelling from Tassie to Adelaide on a low fare please let Mark know what could have been found with a little foresight and some research.

 

[scooter]

Wayne, I agree maybe Mark's fair is a little over the top (however the rates seem to change daily - i know cos I regualrly check!)

However even with your $450 fair it still requires a top 5-7 finish to break even. It just doesn't make sense to travel to tornies with odds like that, unless you are intent on continually throwing good moey away on this sport we all love.

While I have never been a 'regular' on the aussie bowling 'tour', I have previously bowled in mainland tornies from time to time and i can say that the increase in fairs is definately a factor. When assessing whether or not to go to a mainland torny the first thing that is worked out is what it will cost (airfare, accom, entry fee and weekend expenses) when these equate to basically having to finish top 3 to make any money, then the obvious decision is not to go!

There is plenty of merit in Mark's suggestion, hold all tornies in VIC & NSW as the majority of tornament bowlers come from there. Bowlers in TAS, NT, Northern QLD & WA are already hugely disadvantage as they have to fly to all major tornies anyhow, and only bowlers from these region with sufficient ability and or money will continually support all the majors anyway.

In my opinion, without a major overhall of bowling industriy prices (from games, to equipment to torny entry fees) the competitve side of Asutralia Tenpin bowling will fade until non existent - the only answer is of course a major sponsor to come and save our game!

I have now said enough .......

 

[Graham]

Wayne, I agree maybe Mark's fair is a little over the top (however the rates seem to change daily - i know cos I regualrly check!)

Yeah well you are right .. last night the fares to Melbourne from Brisbane were 160 down (fair fare) and the trip back there were only fully flexible ($299) .. and now there are fair fares coming back as well so the cost has changed from $460 to $320-$330 .. a bit more reasonable !!

 

[Dj bruv on da mix]

Wayne u havent been on the weed again have you? i just checked again mate and they are now $648 launceston to Adelaide return

cheers

Mark Foster

 

[CSP]

I don't believe it's the airfares that are killing interstate tournaments. Yes, they can be expensive, but they can be cheap.

1) Buy two one way tickets. Single through Qantas and the return trip through Virgin. I know of one bowler that did that and cost them $240 from Sydney. I wish I had thought of that Idea! :lol: I will next time!

2) Qantas Frequent Flyer Points. I know you have to fly frequently but if you have a credit card that connects you to Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Program then you could get a flight sooner than you thought.

3) Buy the flights early as possible. The earlier you purchase it the cheaper it is. For the Australian Open in April, a return flight from Sydney to Melbourne with Qantas is $195 on the internet.

To have the entries increase at the major events, the entry fee must come down but also the game rate should come down. The prize fund should increase to give the bowlers a chance to actually make a little profit. If bowlers know the tournaments are giving it all back to them then you might actually attract them back to the majors.

50 odd bowlers for SA Cup is very disappointing considering the top ranked players will not be attending. I would hope the tournament organizers will ask the bowlers for ideas into improving the tournaments.

AMF and it's new tournament director have done a great effort to increase the prize fund of the 2003 NSW Grand Prix Circuit without increasing the entry fee. It has come with a Major Sponsor which increases 1st Place from $1000 last year to $1400 this year, every event will also receive shirts for the finalists. Well done Glen. I would like the NSW bowlers to support it this year.

We cannot point the finger to others such as airlines and hotels for the decline in numbers for events. The tournament Organizers have to look at their particular event and ask the question; WHY?


Christian

 

[webber]

Well said Christian. If Glen Rowland can get a Major sponser for the NSW
Grand Prix events, after being in the job for just a couple of months,
then mabey the National guys should have a chat to Glen and get some ideas
off him.
A big thanks must go to The Good Guys. at Blacktown for their support
of Ten Pin Bowling this year and hopefully in the future as well. They are supporting us, so hopefully the people in the area will support them.




ANDREW LLOYD.

 

[bfcc]

maybe we have to look at what has changed the most from the 80's when tournament numbers were good to today were numbers are dropping off at a alarming rate.when i started bowling in the 80's most leagues were trophy leagues there were no money boards , some centres did have an award for a 300 (redcliffe had a car for a while) there was 1 singles league that was a money league . jump forward to now i bowl a 5 man team league at caboolture i pay $20 per night and have the chance to win $1000 every game, most centres have money boards for high games (270+) most leagues are money leagues . you have to ask yourself the question why bother with tournaments when i can make more money bowling leagues ????

 

[Brett Hall]

I dont think you can put the blame on any one thing for dropping tournament entries. Actually, no, I lie, it does come down to one thing:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
That's right, plain for everyone to see, it's not just the airfares, or petrol money, or whatever means of transport used, it comes down to the money. Personally, even though I'm just a junior, I cant justify spending up to $500 on transport, accomodation & entry fees, when in some cases $500 can be more than 1st place pays out. And even if I was confident I was going to get back more than that $500, I'm damn sure I would have trouble acquiring that sort of money in the first place. Then, you will probably find that budding tournament bowlers that cant afford tournaments became stagnant & complacent with league bowling, & eventually drop out of the sport altogether.
I also think bfcc has a valid point. Why fork out $1000 to attend a tournament that you're really just donating your money to the big boys? When you can stay in the comfort of your home centre & bowl for money you'll have a chance at winning. I know Heritage Bay Pty. Ltd. aka Olympic Sporting Supplies has been running a series of "Olympic Star" leagues in which you can win $400rrp worth of gear or $192 cash for bowling 18 games over 6 weeks. At $20 a week, why not?

So, really, Airfares aren't killing bowling, the almighty dollar is.

 

[AdrianS]

Maybe not money itself is the problem, it could be just money going to the wrong(in tournament players eyes anyway) places.

 

[Graham]

Might be interested to know that AMF are looking to try a new format for either QLD Cup or NSW Open .. firstly to try and create some interest in both the tournament and some incentive for bowlers to come and have a go.

But the important thing is that we have found a way to pay 1 in 2 (based on 90 entries) with 45th place getting $250, while keeping the top prizemoney fairly high. Once all the details are ironed out you will see it posted here but I hope it's a step in the direction you are talking Adrian.

 

[The Ref]

NSW Grand Prix

Just on the NSW grand prix guys. It is fantastic that they have a sponsor for the series this year but how about we make the tournament more bowler friendly by changing the squad times around a bit. I myself would love to bowl in more tournaments but as i dont finish work on a saturday until 11/12 oclock then it is virtually impossible for me to get there.
Why not have first squad at 9.30 and second squad at 2.30. that way people that do have to work on a saturday morning may be able to get there.
And by the way first prize last year was $1100 wasnt it?

All The Best
Rob T

 

[CSP]

It was $1100 at the start of the year. But I am sure it was dropped to $1000 for the events later in the year. Might have been due to a Game Price increase :roll: Something that is killing tournaments is the almighty game rate.

 

[CSP]

Squad time changes for the NSW Circuit is a great idea. I'm sure Mr.Rowland will be able to change the times to suit bowlers that work saturday mornings from the third event as forms have already been printed for the Mayfield event in March.

Good idea Rob!