If You Build It…

Imagine if the national archery association had a league and that league became professional and we ended up having our favorite archerists (is that what they’d be called), and we’d wear their jerseys and go to the playoff games and tailgate and cheer, and even sulk when our archery team loses. There’d be a team in every major city, but also the smaller markets, like Des Moines. In fact Iowa might be the perfect place for the national archery championships since the state has been a bit of pioneer in promoting alternative sports.

“As the sports tourism industry continues to grow in importance across the country and specifically in the state of Iowa, it is integral that each destination has a defined direction and a vision,” said Cole McKeel of the Huddle Up Group, a sports tourism, marketing, venue and event consulting company. “It’s not about trying to be everything to everyone at all times. Rather, we recommend communities find their own niche. Our findings highlight the growth of nontraditional sports in Iowa, which offer great value in terms of differentiation from the market and economic impact.”

Interest in alternative sports as hobbies and even more professional games is rising as the public is looking for ways to stay active, be outdoors and stimulate their brains. 29% of 16,538 adults in our poll last year up from just 7% in 2005, said they are interested in learning an alternative sport as a way to elevate not their physical health, but their mental health.

For background on all the Iowa alternatives sports offerings, go here.