Best playing & coaching models for clubs to retain newbies

[Karl6]

The club below may be one of the best in that they offer free coaching on Monday nights
Willamette Table Tennis Club Home Page

[Karl6]

I would not offer free individual coaching
Maybe just free group coaching for 4 weeks or 5 weeks or 6 weeks or whatever to start with
I would offer free individual coaching only if they stick around regularly including other nights for another 4 weeks or 5 weeks or 6 weeks or whatever
Does not have to exactly like this but some sort of similar gradual scale model to retain players long term.

[Setey7]

Most table tennis clubs start harassing newbies to get paid coaching on day 1 and try to sell them useless $500 (click link >) dumb rackets

[Chailzyk]

Doubles are a huge but also the most neglected aspect in retaining newbies
When I used to run clubs, most higher level players paired out with newbies to play doubles
This reduces the intimidation factor enormously while also greatly improving the social and friendly aspects of the sport.
In my club there were of course one third players who wanted nothing to do with either newbies and or doubles.
There will always be some such but others know better

[Back nine]

I asked a club that is open every evening & all day & night on weekends in a large metro to make one night a ladies night with two women coaches giving such free lessons above
They refused for whatever reason
I can see them refusing if they have only few nights of play but not when they play 7 days
Most women don't take up table tennis as it is so intimidating with guys and some cultural groups may also prefer women playing among themselves

[Derwin]

I also like this above club offering free play for those who cannot afford it, on top of an already low $5 per night fee