Howdy all, Aussie Badger back with an interview of a top Australian thrower - a valkyrie in fact. This is something of an interview in 2 parts, as we started this before APATC, but at the time Zoë was slammed with setting up and organizing the event, so we had to find time when we could. Originally meant as an APATC lead up story it’s become quite the scoop for reasons that will become apparent. Please enjoy my catch up with …
NAME
Zoë Kellam
THROWING NAME
Hatchet
STORY BEHIND THE NAME
I used to be Miss Hatchet - from my teaching days. I don't feel like a Miss any more - and everyone calls me hatchet.
WHERE YOU THROW
Maniax, Sydney
HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN THROWING
5.5 years.
WHAT AXES YOU THROW
My hatchet is an old NATF head by 81 axes, queen of hearts for clutch, & a Northern Axe Works big axe.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS
Top 8 in regionals this year, 2nd in the IATC U65 & winning Rise of the Valkyries. I came first in a WATL big axe marathon league in NZ. I also won a women's comp in Japan. My double big axe party clutch with Christian (aka the Heckler) was also pretty special.
PERSONAL GOALS
I've never qualified for round 2 - that would be neat.
TRAINING REGIME
What's that?
TOURNAMENT PREP
Nah.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Don't get too caught up on stats focus on your mental game.
ADVICE FOR THE HUNGRY
Talk axe with experienced people, be open to coaching & enter tournaments.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE, AND YOUR JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My axe journey started in a league - the first and only active league in Sydney (and maybe Australia) at the time. After a session with some mates, I saw a sign advertising league and that was it - I was hooked.
By my second league I had joined all the leagues on offer (which was 2) and 6 months later I was working in the venue as a casual coach. Now 5 years later I manage the Maniax venue in Sydney while also managing leagues and tournaments.
YOU'RE A VENUE MANAGER, THE EVENT COORDINATOR, AND YOU'RE ENTERED IN A FEW TOURNAMENTS, WHAT'S IT LIKE WEARING ALL THOSE HATS?
The venue in Marrickville Sydney is the biggest one we’ve got here in Australia - we have 10 lanes - with an additional 7 single lanes - or what we call quick chuck lanes - it's a beast to run - but it's the perfect layout for tournaments such as APATC. We have a well-established crew running Sydney and boy I wouldn't have been able to do it without them.
I felt there was a lot of expectation and a lot of pressure to get the tournaments right this year - I think I did all right for my first crack at it. But also we just wanted to put on a good event and make sure everyone had food, some beers and a good time!
ARE THERE ANY BIG ACHIEVEMENTS OR MILESTONES YOU'D LIKE TO CALL OUT FROM THIS APATC?
It's our biggest one yet! 85 person tournament for the APATC open! We have also added an additional day compared to previous years (a reflection of how the Aussie axe throwing scene has truly grown). MANIAX's first Women's/NB comp & our biggest turnout yet for Big Axe! I was excited to see a few people compete in their first tournament!
YOU'RE KNOWN IN THE REGION AS A BIG ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN'S / NON-BINARY TOURNAMENTS, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SCENE RIGHT NOW, AND WHERE IT'S HEADED?
This has been the year for women's/non-binary events! What I have observed through the growing tournament circuit and the addition events is the growing participation and confidence & women absolutely smashing it.
It’s also pretty cool to see all the women behind the scenes running these events - absolute powerhouses already out there - you've got Kat & Lisa at the IATF, Sasha & Cat working together for the UK open & Chloe- Feisty Cuffs Lyttle's -Bat Outta Hell.
But my biggest irk at the moment in women's events is the ruleset being perceived as reflecting the skill level of the people competing in them. Make ‘em prem - we want the big time! I think part of the purpose of these tournaments is to make a space for people to grow their confidence and I think the knock-on effect will be that we see more entries into majors and regionals by W/NB throwers.
I KNOW YOU'VE DONE A LOT OF TRAVELLING TO TOURNAMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR. WHY DID YOU SPEND THE TIME AND MONEY TO DO THAT, AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE GAINED FROM THAT TRAVEL?
Yeah, it's been a big year - I've competed in New Zealand, Japan, Canada and the UK! I did this to connect with the wider axe throwing community & for fun & to get some tournament experience, but another big reason was to learn!
I've connected with not only the wider axe throwing community (and shared many beers with some absolute legends) but talking to venue operators & tournament organisers, league runners and axes makers. I like to think this experience will help me to shape axe throwing for MANIAX going forward.
YOU HAD A GREAT RUN IN THIS YEAR'S IATC UNDER 65 TOURNAMENT, COMING IN A CLOSE SECOND. WHAT LESSONS DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT? HAS IT CHANGED ANYTHING IN YOUR OUTLOOK OR APPROACH?
I think I learnt a lot about my mental game. That many people watching all the love and support I had pouring in from Australia - it was intense! At the end of the day Rob threw better and I truly got in my head a little bit. I'd never experienced that high level of pressure - it was a valuable experience to have & why I will encourage people to have a go at tournaments.
POST-EVENT QUESTIONS
ZOË - CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING OUT THE WOMEN'S RISE OF THE VALKYRIES EVENT! IT WAS CLEAR THIS EVENT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU. CAN YOU TALK TO WHY THAT IS, AND HOW WINNING THE TOURNEY FELT FOR YOU?
Rise of the Valkyries was MANIAX's first women's/NB comp - I commissioned a kick ass trophy from a Hollywood prop master to sit next to the APATC trophy - it's an incredible piece. (can confirm - check out the pic) I had absolutely no plans on taking the win I had been on my feet all day, I was down a ref & I had been at the venue from 7am.
That 11:30pm B bracket win was not on the cards- but my axe said otherwise! I've competed in 4 women's/NB tournaments this year (each one on a different continent). Rise of the Valkyries was my favourite - throwing amongst your own community is something very special.
YOUR FINAL WAS AGAINST EDEN "BONE SAW" MEDWAY, A PERENNIAL FAVOURITE, AND CERTAINLY NO EASY VICTORY. SHE ACTUALLY KNOCKED YOU DOWN TO B BRACKET EARLIER IN THE DAY. CAN YOU REFLECT ON YOUR JOURNEY FROM THAT POINT TO MEETING HER IN THE FINAL, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK LED TO THE CHANGE IN FATE?
Eden is such a consistent and fierce competitor & we went face to face 3 times in the bracket. But in all honesty the change in fate came in the form of a ham & salad (cheese +mustard & pickles) roll I had right before the final - I hadn't eaten all day and that sandwich turned it all around. (A valuable lesson in that for all of us I think, watch those blood sugar levels folks.)
Thanks for taking the time in the middle of a truly crazy period for you Zoë.
For anyone interested, the whole event was live streamed and is available to watch on YouTube, just search “APATC 2024” (or click on this link), all 3 days are online, the videos named for the main event on that day. IMO the screen set up for the main matches is one of the best layouts I’ve ever seen, worth checking out.
Comments