We are thrilled to announce that our most recent council elections have been a resounding success! We received a record number of applications and experienced an unprecedented voter turnout from our Affiliates, demonstrating the dedication and engagement of our community.
The purpose of the Council is to advise WATL on matters pertaining to the sport of axe throwing. Council members represent a wide range of views and experiences within the sport. It consists of venue owners and throwers with a wide range of skill and experience levels.
WATL consults with the Council on matters such as rules updates, player discipline, tournament formats (WATL hosted or otherwise), and the evolution of the sport as a whole. The views and perspectives that the Council represents serve to help WATL see angles that they may not otherwise have considered when making game and sport-related critical decisions.
Before we introduce our newest members, WATL would like to acknowledge that Ragnar Olafson, Kristyn Muller Mirasol, and Anthony Szymkowiak have tendered their resignation to the council. We would like to thank them for their years of service and wish them both the very best.
In addition to the names below, there was exactly one candidate who earned a “highly recommended” score from every single voter in the first round. Based on this overwhelming show of support, we decided to appoint Rachel Rowell to the WATL council as a special appointee.
Please join us in extending our warmest congratulations to our three newly elected council members:
Alison Fawthrop
What venue are you associated with? Drengr Axe Throwing
What is your day job (if it’s not axe throwing)? Real Estate Investor
How long have you been a part of the axe throwing community? Since 2018
How did you get introduced into the axe throwing community/WATL? First date with Brandon Johnson
Any community achievements? 2022 Head Award given at WATC by Women’s Axe Council, 2021 Best Judge Award given by Texas Axe Throwing Association (TATA), 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award TATA Awards, 2023 Texas Heart Award TATA Awards
Random fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with axe throwing. I’m a Brit and have lived all over the world.
Erika Brynildsen
What venue are you associated with? Riverbend Axe Throwing
What is your day job (if it’s not axe throwing)? Chief Nursing Officer of Anderson Rehabilitation Institute
How long have you been a part of the axe throwing community? Since 2019
How did you get introduced into the axe throwing community/WATL? At the end of 2018 I surprised my husband, Daniel, with an axe throwing date. We both hadn’t done it and both had a blast. We then did axe throwing with a couple of other groups in our lives. Every time it was the same thing, most people hadn’t done it and everyone had a blast. Both with entrepreneurial blood, we decided our hometown desperately needed an axe throwing venue because there was nothing fun for young adults to do besides bars. So we opened our venue in September of 2019 and fell in love with the sport.
Any community achievements? One of the founding members of the Women’s Axe Council, 2022 Best New Tournament, Community Ambassador, taught by Tyler and Dannielle approved Bracket Manager. Doting wife of a pro axe thrower and mom and responsible party of the cutest duals team – go Mad Sisters!
Random fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with axe throwing. I have 4 kids of my own and 7 (and growing) axe children (“Axe Mom”).
Thaddius Shipley
What venue are you associated with? Primal Axe House
What is your day job (if it’s not axe throwing)? Retired Farrier (Horseshoer/blacksmith)
How long have you been a part of the axe throwing community? Since 2019
How did you get introduced into the axe throwing community/WATL? With a group party just having fun!
Any community achievements?
Founder of SWATL (Senior Axe Throwing League), owner of “RECTIFI” (video analysis for the axe thrower)
Random fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with axe throwing. I love overland camping and I’m a former baseball coach and hitting instructor.
Rachel Rowell
What venue are you associated with? Blades & Boards
What is your day job (if it’s not axe throwing)? Venue owner
How long have you been a part of the axe throwing community? Since 2017
How did you get introduced into the axe throwing community/WATL? I went throwing at a facility in Kansas City and bad a BLAST! Decided to open our own venue and join WATL shortly after.
Any community achievements? N/a
Random fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with axe throwing. I love to rescue dogs, read, and anything outdoors – camping, traveling, and adventures!
Their commitment & passion to serving the axe throwing community have earned them this well-deserved honor.
To learn more about Alison, Erka, and Thaddius, including their backgrounds and goals for their tenure, please visit the following link: [Link to bios]
We are excited to welcome them aboard and look forward to the fresh perspectives and contributions they will bring to our council.
To learn more about the other members of the Council, visit our WATL Council page.
You can reach your council members at any time by emailing the private and Council-only monitored email: [email protected]
The following former Council members, Sarah Sed & Tyler Flynn, have also joined WATL as staff members since the previous Council election. Sarah Sed as our new Commissioner & Tyler Flynn as as our Logistics & Communications Manager. They still work with the Council as part of their new roles.
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