This will most likely be the single hardest communication I have ever had to send to our amazing community.
As I am sure everyone is aware, South Africa will be on “lockdown” from Thursday evening. This means we will not be able to legally operate nor will it be legal for any archer to visit the club. While we are fully in agreement with the decision, it is still a nightmare for us and countless other small businesses.
The club will be accessible to members who already have keys until the lockdown is implemented, however, they do so entirely at their own risk and discretion. All tuition and standard operations will cease with immediate effect. It is unclear at this stage if or when we will be able to resume normal operation.
We are looking into the announced Government relief fund for small businesses, but at first impressions it appears to be highly unlikely we will be eligible for any claim from the fund. Which means we are now, in no uncertain terms, entirely at the mercy of our clients willingness and ability to continue paying monthly tuition fees. To reiterate what we communicated previously, we do not have insurance or reserves for times like these. The risk of not being able to continue paying my amazing team is real and one that scares and deeply saddens me.
We are doing everything we can to keep the business from sinking, while still making sure we are offering clients value for their contribution. As mentioned in our previous communication, we are going to be sharing & creating digital content that will bring real value to our clients during the down-time. I will personally be creating and compiling these resources. The content will be useful now and when you can resume normal training again. Content will be mostly in video format and will include archery specific exercises, training methods, technique principles, archery principles and more. The bulk of which will only be distributed to clients that are up to date with payments.
I am fully aware that this is a very difficult time for everyone and not just us. But we are pleading with you. If you can at all afford it, please support us now so we can survive this and continue to serve you in the future. If you are already enrolled please continue to pay your tuition fees. If your account is in arrears, please settle up as soon as you can. If you really can’t afford it, please consider reducing your contribution rather than outright stopping payment completely.
We didn’t want to get to this point, but unfortunately we are desperate, if any of our clients can afford to assist us over and above their standard fees, please consider making a payment into our account. This can be in the form of a donation or we can happily create this as a credit on your account to be used for training and/or membership fees in the future. Our banking details are below for quick reference.
I feel it necessary to explain that we are already expecting massive reductions in what we can pay our team, we are not asking for help so we can continue life as normal, we are asking so we can ensure your coaches and the other team members can afford basic essentials during the next couple of months.
Account name: SENTIENT ARCHERY SOLUTIONS CC
Bank: FNB
Branch: 250655
Account: 62755987884
We cannot thank you enough for your continued support. We know we have an amazing community and we are confident that we will all get through this together. Please stay safe everyone!
With love (and clean hands)
from Dean McHendry
& The Sentient Archery Team