We've got the same problem out here in Taiwan.
I've been doing my best to help promote foosball however I can (we've got tournaments, an eMagazine, we're even going to have a tournament broadcast on a local MOD sports channel)... but to be honest, I think the solution is this:
Find more women.
I'm dead serious. Just like in any company, women can change the dynamic of an environment (and usually for the better).
Promoting using women in photos in some ways will attract both men and women to the sport. There will always be more men than women... and getting them all in the door is an important step to start with. Sounds silly, but I think there's some truth to it.
Not silly at all!
One of the best things to anchor a local foosball group, whether having DYPs, Brings, or even pickups, is the presence of female players AND COUPLES. Over the years I've seen few memberships that have lasted longer than those with a good amount of females and in turn, couples.
It immediately socializes the game. In collegiate sportsbar or gameroom environments, even just the presence of single women helps, because it becomes a SOCIAL OUTING, and not just for personal amusement and recreation. The presence of female players also IMMEDIATELY diminishes the stigma of foosball being a totally GEEK sport. More like a pool league or bowling or darts outing.
In more urban downtown or family center venues, the presence of couples becomes even more of a stabilizing influence on weekly or regular attendance. Having two people in a household schedule time, not only for competition but also to a social environment, or perhaps meeting there, definitely helps attendance. Having couples and female players also helps justify support from venues like rec centers bowling alleys, or the club rooms at housing developments, not just for bars or nightspots. These proprietors also know the value of female attendance.
So yes, the more women you can convince to start playing and KEEP playing, the more the rest of the male players have to behave like other standard social engagements and BE MUCH MORE CIVIL all-around. I've seen many players that can behave like beasts and cavemen among a males-only "who's Alpha here?" group suddenly show politeness, courtesy, and concern for things other than their drinks or gameplay. Women also bring a certain change in offensive and defensive styles and attitudes that can only help everyone. Especially if the better players HELP and advise the female players. And just like any group that nurtures and encourages its newer players, this strengthens overall play, not to mention the possibility that drawing a female in a BYP who's been learning from everyone improves the males' chances of winning.
Female members, whether singly or as parts of couples, can and have been a major source of strength to any group, and should never be considered a burden. So if you're afraid it might be silly.... BE SILLY !!! HAVE AT IT!!!
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