Whether you want to hold an out-of-the-office team building exercise to foster better cohesion in the workplace or just reward your staff for a great quarter, an axe throwing league may have the event you’re looking for. The sport has been picking up steam across Canada since it emerged in 2006 out of backyard get-togethers and cottage country games. Since breaking into urban markets, it’s taken off as a popular activity for birthday parties, bachelorettes, and corporate team building. If you’re not sure if it’s right for your office, here are somethings you should know about the sport.
Competition
If you want your team to tap into its inner competitive nature, axe throwing can be an intense experience. In a round robin tournament, every participant plays against each other, scoring points toward a knock out round that really heats things up. Rounds may end in draws, but this sport adds a high risk, high reward chance at breaking a tie. Set in the top right and left corners above the target are two green dots. These are called clutches, and a participant can only aim for them on their last turn. Worth a whopping 7 points, scoring on the clutch can leave competitors in the dust. However, the zone around them is worthless. Even a shot falling in the rings outside the bullseye could put risk-taking players to rest. It’s a great way to teach risk vs. reward principles in real terms.
Camaraderie
One the goals of many team building exercises is helping teammates understand each other better. Meeting outside of the office can add another dimension to individuals’ relationships with one another. Activities like these aren’t going to smooth over conflicts within the office, but they can go a long way in building the kinds of relationships between co-workers that enable them to resolve issues amongst themselves.
Fun
Ultimately, if you want to reward your staff or get them to let off some steam after a particularly stressful time of year, getting them together at a venue like the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL) can be a satisfying way to let it all out. They were the first company to bring axe throwing to Toronto in its contemporary form. Combining the principles of darts with horseshoes, they revived an age-old sport for urban audiences looking for something a little different. In addition to their regular league, they also host group events like birthdays and corporate team building activities for companies in Toronto.
Most axe throwing leagues can accommodate large groups, even over 100 people, though events can be much smaller. Whether you run a large company or department looking for team building exercises or a local bar in need of a belated staff Christmas party, axe throwing can bring your staff together and let them know they’re valued. If you’re not located in Toronto, BATL is one league that’s been growing across Ontario, with venues in Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa, and Pickering as well. Treat your team to something different this year.
