Article Published: 03 October 2008
Article by Chris Derby-Lewis


Young Pigeon Fanciers the key to the survival of our sport

The future of our sport lies in the young fanciers of today. So many times we hear of fanciers from different unions and organisations stating that they have increased their membership because of new fanciers. The question is how does one define a new fancier? Most of the times you will find that the fanciers gained are old fanciers who are moving between organisations. If this is our perception then it is quite clear why there are so few new comers to this wonderful sport of ours. In my opinion, a new fancier would be classified as a youngster who is starting up, hoping to race for the first time.

I have looked at organisations within the Western Cape and sadly have to report that there aren’t many juvenile’ members. When you have a closer look at articles written about fanciers you realise that most of these guys are over forty years of age.

Five years ago I started racing pigeons from Mikpunt Klipheuwel and applied for membership at my closest organisation. I was refused membership because of boundary issues. I then pleaded on behalf of my two teenage sons as they wanted to join the organisation's juniors club at that time. It was extremely disappointing when my sons were advised that their application had been turned down, and no exception would be made.

It is not often that you get two teenage boys interested in racing pigeons as we have to compete with computer games, internet, peer pressure and the hectic social lives of the youngsters of today. I was even further disappointed when the representative of the Weskaap Duiwe Unie showed no interest in assisting these youngsters.

I currently race in the Federated Board of Homing Unions and our policy is to assist, accommodate and inspire young fanciers. So many times in the past I’ve heard fanciers say that children are a nuisance on basketing nights, I personally know of members who have left clubs because there has been strife regarding their children accompanying them to basketing nights.

I currently race in Paarl East Pigeon Club, were we have Ayub Moerat 14yrs of age and my son Judd Derby-Lewis 5 years old who accompanies us on basketing nights. The older members have embraced their interest and enthusiasm by allowing them to assist with the ring stretchers under supervision.

Pniel have their own junior club with approximately six members, just to name a few.

The FBHU is a massive organisation and I can only comment that our mindset with regards to the future of our sport is positive when it comes to young fanciers

It would be encouraging to see more articles on young fanciers. It is a fact that older senior fanciers are leaving the sport because of high cost, ill health or age. The burden of cost has to be carried by the remaining members (escalating transport costs) Membership numbers in the pigeon sport are dwindling and I urge all clubs to encourage the establishing of junior clubs within their unions to promote our sport amongst young people in order for them to carry on our legacy of the pigeon sport.

Chris Derby-Lewis
PRO - Federated Board of Homing Unions
082 621 8813