Welcome to Valhalla... County Durham axe throwing centre encourages women to join the sport
Valhalla North in Newton Aycliffe are hoping to encourage more women to take up the sport with their Ladies League
Last updated 18th May 2022
A County Durham Axe Throwing club are encouraging women across the North East to step up to the plate and see how well they can throw.
Valhalla North - in Newton Aycliffe - is one of only 3 International Axe Throwing Federation accredited axe throwing centres in the country, with throwers from the club going on to compete internationally, in places like Canada and the US.
Now, they're recruiting for their next Ladies League, which begins on the first of June, hoping that offering a female only space will help some people overcome anxiety about trying a new sport.
Kat Howe leads the Ladies league, and tells us she was inspired to set it up after the success of the club's mixed league - but found some of the women involved were feeling less comfortable;
"They do feel a little intimidated, coming and playing with the guys...
"The Monday night league - it stemmed from sort of a members group, so a lot of them had been throwing together for a long time and were pretty good.
"So the Ladies League evening was just that atmosphere where they didn't feel too pressured - they could really be themselves and let their hair down.
"Yes, it might have started off as 'we're coming down to try axe-throwing' but it actually turned into their weekly social night, with just females - which, for a lot of women, is really comforting."
While axe throwing attractions have begun popping up around the North East in recent years, Valhalla North is one of the few in the UK which focuses on the sport, as well as running open sessions for fun.
Kat's a member of the US based group Axe Girls - who run a YouTube Channel and podcast series, lifting up women in the sport,
She explains it's not as easy as just turning up and throwing;
"It is a skill - especially to get the consistency of getting the bullseyes and then you've got the clutches as well
"It does take a lot of practice, and it does take a lot of time to perfect your technique to get that consistency."
League members have recently completed a charity throwing marathon - where Valhalla North raised £1300 for Mind mental health charity, and the club has also been nominated for 4 awards in the Aycliffe Business park's Make Your Make business awards - including for Business of the year, Innovation, Newcomer and the Environment award.
The award winners will be announced on Friday May 20.
You can find out more about Valhalla North via their social media.