If you’ve ever enjoyed playing dodgeball, laser tag or paintball, then get set for the latest sporting game to arrive in Bermuda — and this one features bows and arrows.

Archery Tag has taken off in the United States, the UK and Asia. The young and the not-so-young have been picking up bows and foam-tipped arrows to do battle with similarly armed opponents.

The sporting game has now been brought to Bermuda by Aaron Browne and his business Xtreme Entertainment.

Mr Browne, said the increasing popularity of Archery Tag may have something to do with the multimedia franchise The Hunger Games, which features a heroine armed with a bow and arrow, however he was already a keen archer when he stumbled across the game.

“When I was a kid we used to shoot bows and arrows that we had made with things like fishing line and sticks,” he said.

“Then I was introduced to the archery range at WindReach, and after that I was hooked.”

Seeking to improve his archery skills, Mr Browne was searching through archery technique videos on YouTube when he spotted a video by US-based Archery Tag. He’d never seen anything like it before, but he was impressed and he recognised the business and social potential of the activity.

“It was kids having fun outside with no video games, no TV, no remote controls. I said ‘Bermuda needs more stuff like that’.

“It had to be brought to the Island to get kids active.”

He pursued the idea and soon had enough bows and arrows to allow 24 people to play Archery Tag simultaneously, although he cautioned “that would be a bit chaotic”.

Xtreme Entertainment offers Archery Tag games, which can be played indoors or outdoors with opposing teams firing arrows at one another and trying to strike five targets in a foam base belonging to the opposite team.

The bows have a 28lb draw, making them manageable for youngsters and the elderly, while still providing enough power to fire an arrow many tens of metres.

Being struck by an arrow is not a painful experience thanks to the foam tip, which resembles a giant marshmallow. Players wear headgear as protection, with their eyes covered by a visor.

“Archery Tag is a bit like paintball, laser tag and dodgeball. I love paintball, but it can be dangerous because it has high velocity projectiles,” said Mr Browne, of Southampton.

There is no such concern with the Archery Tag equipment, and the proof is in the delight youngsters and adults show as they play with the bows and arrows.

“When I first brought Archery Tag here we tried it out with family and friends and the kids loved it.

“Safety is the first priority, and then it’s fun. The foam on the end of the arrow is called the ‘marshmallow tip’. The arrow has a carbon fibre shaft, but there is no chance of the arrow hurting you.”

Mr Browne hopes the sport will take off in Bermuda. It can be played almost anywhere, from large conference rooms in hotels, to backyards, fields and the beach.

His company has staged a number of events and he hopes to see more enquiries from individuals, groups and possibly companies looking for a fun bonding session for their employees.

This summer Mr Browne intends to demonstrate Archery Tag at Harbour Nights.

He added: “I’d like to host corporate groups, schools, and church groups. And I’d like to create a tournament or set up a league.”

Xtreme Entertainment has a Facebook page with videos and photos of Archery Tag being played. Mr Browne can be contacted on 532-0776 or by e-mailing: xtreme.entertainment.bermuda@gmail.com