A bullseye for Barrington: International axe throwing competition to attract visitors to the region

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

The Government of Canada continues to support the tourism sector for a strong recovery and future growth.

August 23, 2022 · Barrington, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Canada has much to offer visitors: breathtaking landscapes and wide-open spaces, diverse and inclusive experiences, and welcoming people from coast to coast to coast who provide outstanding service. Combined with a strong focus on health and safety and high vaccination against COVID-19, Canada is among the most alluring and smartest destination choices.

The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on Canada’s tourism sector. The Government of Canada continues to help tourism businesses recover and position the industry for strong future growth. 

Today, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, announced an investment of $55,000 through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to the World Championships of Axe Throwing Organizing Committee. The committee was formed to organize and host the 2022 World Double-bitted Axe Throwing Championships in Barrington from August 26 to 28. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This support will help the organizing committee acquire equipment, including sound systems and construction materials. The investment will also support promotion and marketing efforts aimed at national and international audiences, including the television production of the championships which will air nationally on TSN later this year as three half hour episodes. Assistance will ensure the region is ready for this year’s event and demonstrate an ability to attract additional international sporting events to Nova Scotia.

Launched in July 2021, the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) was created to help organizations and businesses in the tourism sector adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, offer innovative products and services to visitors and prepare to welcome back travellers. The TRF is administered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Quotes

“With the support announced today, Shelburne County will be able to welcome competitors and spectators from across the country and the world for one of the first major international sporting events held in Barrington. This is an important step in the recovery effort as visitors rediscover the world-class tourism experiences Atlantic Canada has to offer.”

-      The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting businesses and organizations through these challenging times, keeping safety as the top priority while ensuring they get support to quickly recover, innovate their products and services, and thrive. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements, and be ready to welcome back guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector survive the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”

-      The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“When popular sporting events like the 2022 World Double-bitted Axe Throwing Championships come to our small, rural communities, the positive economic impacts are felt by businesses and people all through the region. I’m pleased to see our government support the community of Barrington in hosting these championships. Good luck to all participants and thank you to the organizers and volunteers.”

-      Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants

“Hosting the world championships is an enormous honour. Our organizing team has worked diligently for over two years to deliver this event in a manner that proudly showcases our beautiful part of the world to our international guests. We’ve stayed focused on helping to promote and grow the sport of axe throwing internationally. The legacy of hosting an event of this stature on the Municipality of Barrington and the community of axe throwers in Canada is substantial. We plan to use the momentum of this event to invest in axe throwing across Nova Scotia in an inclusive way that inspires others to try this amazing sport.”

-      Ryan McIntyre, Chairman, 2022 World Double-bit Axe Throwing Championships and Founder, Nova Lumberjacks Society 

Quick facts

  • The World Double-bitted Axe Throwing Championships is a tournament that includes youth, women, men and team categories competing in qualification and championship rounds. The three-day event will run from August 26 to 28 at the Municipal Recreation Complex on Sherose Island. 

  • The competition will bring 150-200 competitors, representing up to 10 countries, including competitors from across Canada.  It is expected to attract over 2,000 spectators and The Sports Network (TSN) will be covering the event. This will be the first major international sporting event held in Barrington.

  • The Tourism Relief Fund is a $500-million national program to support the tourism sector in Canada, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

  • A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget has been earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

  • $48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund has been allocated to ACOA to administer the fund in the Atlantic region.

Associated links

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Ryan McIntyre
Chair, 2022 World Double-bit Axe Throwing Championships Organizing Committee
Founder, Nova Lumberjacks Society
902-499-2727
NovaLumberjacks@gmail.com

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