Axe throwing is a welcoming sport. We are excited when someone new joins in, are excited when they come back for another league, and are all-around pretty excited about anything. We're like Labrador puppies, really. Just in the world, excited about every damn thing.
But there's a big difference between smiling real big like at a new thrower and actually, you know, welcoming them into the sport. One is easy if you got that big smile face, but the other takes a little bit of effort and consideration.
Likewise, joining an axe league is simple (if you have the money and means), but really being a part of it, again, takes a bit of work.
A STORY ABOUT PEARS
Let me tell you a story. C'mon. Sit down next to the fire and listen to ol' Badger's tale about a brand new thrower we'll call Pears.
Now, Pears joined my axe league a few seasons back, and he was quiet and not very outgoing (still isn't, truth be told), but he was clearly excited about throwing and about getting better.
I made it a point to put ol' Pear under my wing (paw?) - I pre-emptively talked to him about what he'd want for his first axe, brought him all of mine to try out. I gave him some old sheaths to use. I tried to give him advice and made sure he was receptive to it (or if he'd rather I just cram it).
I made it a point to be a secret little mentor to him, and to welcome him into the sport and our league as much as possible.
Net result: my guy got engaged, started getting more proficient at throwing, and so far as signed on for 3 leagues. Now, is it possible that he'd have done the same without my involvement? Yes, of course - but I removed the possibility of his feeling like an outsider to a very close-knit group.
NOT EVERYONE IS EVERYONE ELSE
The trap we fall into as throwers (or can fall into, I'm not omniscient) is expecting everyone's experience with axe throwing to be the same as ours, which is bananagrams. Some throwers are introverts (hi!), some need space. Some need a few people to really welcome them into a league, etc. By taking some personal responsibility for new throwers, we can help grow the sport more successfully.
What I'm trying to get at is this: if you're into the idea of growing your league, and you're into the idea of the people who join your league being excited about it and coming back, consider mentoring new throwers and not just hoping they'll see the same spark you did when you started.
HOW TO DO IT
Being a mentor can mean a lot of things, but in the framework of axe throwing, I think it's pretty straightforward:
Engage new throwers, be welcoming and excited that they are throwing with you (and make sure they can tell you're excited about it).
Ask new throwers what they might need help with, offer advice and tips without being a ding dang jerk about it.
If they don't have something, give them what you can (axe covers, an old axe you're not using, an old bag, etc.) I don't wanna be silly about it, but getting a gift from someone who's already established in a sport feels special. I don't care who you are, it feels nice.
Celebrate success and commiserate in frustrations. Try to help new throwers get better.
Becoming a mentor doesn't have to mean you're giving up any additional time to "look after" a new thrower. It does mean trying to be aware of whether you're contributing to a new thrower's enjoyment of the sport. Nothing too heavy, but with a big payoff.
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