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If bowling doesn't get you going and a game of darts down the pub seems very old-fashioned, this could be just the night out you have been waiting for.

An axe throwing club is coming to Birmingham in 2017.

The Birmingham Mail first got confirmation in December 2016 that it was launching in Brum - and now a venue and opening date have been revealed.

It could be the perfect place to release all your pent-up stress after a day at work.

WhistlePunks - run by Jools Whitehorn and John Nimmons - has already opened an 'urban axe throwing' centre in Whitechapel, London. It was followed by one starting up in Manchester earlier this year.

Organisers today revealed that the Birmingham club will open on Thursday, May 25, 2017.

It will be at Grange Live Gaming, 93-99 Holloway Head, Birmingham, B1 1QP, the same place where you can pay to go inside a Rage Room.

At Grange Live Gaming, you can already take part in archery, sword fighting, shooting, Victorian self defence and zombie experiences.

And its Rage Room allows you to use a baseball bat to smash up everyday items including pint glasses, telephones and computer keyboards - or even a full-scale photocopier.

Guests at Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing will be given a brief masterclass in the art of flinging sharpened, deadly tools at targets, before being unleashed into a competition, where points are awarded depending on how close to the bullseye an axe can be embedded.

Having launched in London in 2016, the venue has been so popular that more than 13,000 people have launched axes at their targets, including groups as diverse as Google’s employees and the Women’s Institute.

A second venue in Manchester became an instant hit and as a result the Whistle Punks team have created Europe’s firs ever student axe throwing league and set up the European Axe Throwing Federation, as news of the sport spreads.

Founder Jools Whitehorn said: "The great thing about urban axe throwing is that it’s all about technique.

"Being stronger or able to throw the axe harder than everybody else won’t help you at all, so everybody starts out on a level playing field and women and men can compete against each other.

"We’re so excited to be opening our third branch of Whistle Punks. After a great reception in London and Manchester, we’re really excited to be able to keep spreading the word about our awesome sport and opening in new cities across the UK."

Longtime friends Jools and John caught wind of the growing trend of urban axe throwing in Canada and decided to try it out for themselves. They were instantly hooked and started up Whistle Punks to let other people join in the fun.

"There’s something brilliantly addictive about it," says John. "People come in just to give it a try, and before long they’re trying trick shots and getting competitive with their scores. It’s just a brilliantly primitive feeling, being able to chuck axes."

Birmingham’s Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing will feature four lanes - each with two targets for competitive axe throwing - allowing up to 48 players to take part in a single session.

Opening hours will be 5.30pm-9pm from Thursday to Saturday and noon-7.30pm on Sundays, and a special launch offer will give earlybirds 50 per cent off bookings for the first two weeks.

And if a single session of axe throwing doesn’t sound like enough, Whistle Punks is looking to hire a team of AXE THROWING INSTRUCTORS for the Birmingham venue.

Don’t worry, you’ll receive all the training you need to become an aficionado in no time at all.

Head over to www.whistlepunks.com/jobs for more information.

Bookings are available now from www.whistlepunks.com.

Anyone taking part is given a full safety briefing and throwing lesson first.

Prices for Birmingham will be £20 (off-peak) and £25 (peak) per person for a 90-minute session.

Opening hours for the London club are 5.45pm to 9pm Tuesday to Fridays and noon to 7.30pm Saturdays, so we can expect something similar for Birmingham.

John Nimmons added: "The great thing about urban axe throwing is that it’s all about technique.

"Being able to throw the axe harder than anyone else isn’t much of an advantage, so everyone starts out on a level playing field and women and men can compete against each other.

"There’s something brilliantly addictive about it. People come in just to give it a go, and before long they’re trying trick shots and getting competitive with their scores."

THE GROWING TREND FOR AXE THROWING

It may all sound shocking and more than a bit crazy but such 'throwing sports' have become increasingly popular in recent years.

KATTA UK - the knife axe and tomahawk throwing association - was set up in 2007 to promote safety in the art of hurling potentially lethal weapons.

(Image: Jordan Dilger)

It's a little-known fact that in 2015, the UK hosted the Knife and Axe Throwing World Championships, in which 160 throwers from more than 10 countries competed.

The association has clubs in Pontefract, Hull, Romford, Edinburgh and Milton Keynes where you can learn how to properly hurl a knife, axe, tomahawk and double-headed axe.

Tuition is provided by experts who have been competing internationally for many years.

It's recommended that axe throwers are aged at least 14 but the sport is even popular with scout groups aimed at boys aged as young as ten.

(Image: Jordan Dilger)

KATTA's website says: "Throwing knives, axes and tomahawks is a challenging but fun, safe and healthy pastime

"We try to accommodate all styles of throwers and things to throw, though of course safety is the first consideration.

"If anyone under the age of 18 wishes to attend they must be accompanied by an adult, who will supervise them throughout the training sessions."

A KATTA spokesman added: "It's a lot easier and far less dangerous than archery."