We have already talked about the benefits of team building activities. Now, how about our top 5? There are so many incredible team building exercises you can do. It was tough to narrow it down! But low and behold our top 5 team building activities. You and your team will have heaps of fun and reap the rewards ten times over!

Paintball :

Paintball is a sensational way for teams to work together. Each group is divided into two teams who must battle it out. A dynamic will form where the members of each team work together to win. It is exhilarating and can get pretty intense! Your team will love the rush. And, the connects they form while playing this high adrenaline game will transfer into how they communicate at work. And that aside, who doesn’t love getting covered in paint!?

Karting :

Tearing up that karting track is one high octane way to have fun! Dust off those cobwebs and head out for some super fun go-karting. This team building activity is perfect for the team that might be cooped up in an office most of the time. Or, even if your team just loves getting stuck in to something energetic!

Escape Rooms :

Escape Rooms are becoming an incredibly popular team building activity. Why? Firstly, because it stimulates some serious team work energy. Secondly, the group thinks creatively to solve puzzles to escape a room. To up the anti, they are working against the clock. This trendy team building activity is where it is at!

Bubble Soccer : 

This next level game will blow your teams mind. Ever heard of Zorbing? No? Well basically you are strapped into a giant bubble and left to roll around a designated area. Bubble Soccer is when  you are part of a team of people in this situation, playing another team in a game of soccer! If you haven’t seen it already, you should check it out.

Foot golf :

Ah foot golf, the noble sport. Like golf but not as fusty and dusty. It is definitely an upgrade to the original game! The rules are similar to regular golf. The only difference is, you guessed it – you use your foot to kick the ball. No more carrying around heavy caddy bags full of golf sticks you haven’t a notion of how to use!

Whatever you choose to do for your annual outing, our top five is a great place to start. This ultra trendy list of team building activities will give your team something to look forward to! And, something to reminisce about.

The post Top 5 Team Building Activities appeared first on BigPotatoes.

You and your team have been through thick and thin. Experiencing those highs and lows together throughout the season has brought you closer together. Here are our top 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away. You deserve it!

Strengthen Bonds :

Catching up with one another off the pitch is a great way to strengthen those bonds. You all have such a great time together, why not dedicate some time just for having the craic? Soccer is a sport that requires a lot of focus. Even though it seems like you and your team are just having fun, you are actually working hard to achieve a goal…literally! So blow off some steam and remind each other how much you like to laugh. Of course this is going to be the first reason of top 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away.

Blow off steam :

A night away from it all can do you the world of good! We all have hectic lives. From family commitments to work, we juggle a lot. Having an excuse to head away for a night can be just what the doctor ordered. You and your team will return home renewed and ready to take on those every day challenges with fresh eyes. So blow off some steam with your comrades and be better for it! An excellent way to do this is by trying out a new activity! Check out our top team bonding activities for inspiration.

Visit somewhere new :

Exploring a new place and having a new experience is what it is all about! Make those amazing memories with the team you are proud to be part of. Head to somewhere in Ireland you have never been before. No one has been everywhere! Whether it is that scenic sea side town or majestic waterfall, make the time to see it with your team. Chances are you visit different towns for matches on a regular basis. Ever wondered what any of those towns would be like to visit off duty? Find out for yourself!

Marking occasions :

Marking special occasions for your team is super important. You all worked hard to win a match and want to celebrate? Team night away! Or, maybe you didn’t win the game you were training for. In that case, a team trip away can perk you all right back up! It is also a perfect way to welcome a new member or members to the team. Equally, it is a great way to say goodbye to a member who is leaving. Playing as part of a soccer team is like being in a family. Celebrate those iconic moments, no matter what they may be.

So whatever you and your team deicide to do, remember these four reasons. If you are planning your first team trip away, we are sure you will have such a blast you won’t ever need an excuse again!

The post 4 reasons why your soccer team should have a night away appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Turning 40 for a lot of people means reaching a personal peak of sophistication. You have levelled up. Opting for the more expensive wine is now a thing. You have crafted a timeless personal style. And, you almost never forget to turn on the sacred immersion. Celebrate the myriad of achievements your colleague has made inside and outside of the workplace by throwing them a bespoke birthday bash that chimes with their approach to life! Check out our 40th birthday weekend trip ideas. They will feel appreciated and happy to work in such a supportive environment.

Outdoor Activities

If your colleague is full of zest and life and ready to keep those energy levels up for the next 40 years, a weekend trip full of activities is the one for you. They want to breathe some life into themselves and those around them. As far as 40th birthday weekend trip ideas go, a super fun outdoor activity trip is something that could hit the nail on the head for many! A trip to an Adventure centre would quench any ones thirst for adventure! From zip lining to rock climbing, the variety of activities means that there is something for everyone.

Relaxing Activities

Maybe your colleague is one to enjoy the finer things in life. They know how to relax and repose and they are ready to stave off those wrinkles until the bitter end. A weekend of rest and relaxation sounds like heaven on earth for them. Put your feet up in unison at a luxury Spa weekend away. When is there literally ever a better excuse? Your colleague works hard and deserved a relaxing start to this iconic age. A Spa day would allow your colleague to peacefully enter this phase of their life with calm and a feeling of zen. And, massages and facials are always welcomed – at any age!

Creative Activities

Is your colleague a creative person? Do you often catch them doodling or do they have an interesting screensaver of a piece of art? In that case, a weekend trip that includes something that will unleash their inner artist will be the perfect way to celebrate this landmark age. Art can be at the same time exciting and peaceful for a lot of people and is a total crowd pleaser. Therefore, everyone will be able to get stuck in and try to make their own personal masterpiece, or even just play about. Another thing about turning 40 is that you might have a new found comfort with yourself and your body! Embrace this new found embracement of the physical form by Painting a Nude. This activity may even inspire a giggle from your inner child too.

Whatever you decide to surprise your colleague with, make sure that it is something that they will love. You may have worked together for many years and know exactly what will excite them! Or you could ask a few subtle questions to find out. Our 40th birthday weekend trip ideas are a great jumping off point that will steer you in the right direction! So get planning the 40th birthday surprise of a lifetime.

The post 40th birthday weekend trip ideas appeared first on BigPotatoes.

So your hockey team have been playing together for 5 years and you want to celebrate. Or maybe, your soccer team won a championship and a well deserved holiday is on the cards! Perhaps one of your team members are leaving, or several new team members have joined. In these, and many other cases – Team Weekends Away are the one. Bond with the team you experience all of those highs and lows with in style. You and your team will reap the rewards of an activity like this for many reasons.

The Craic!

Team Weekends away have many benefits. Firstly, they are a breeding ground for hilarious anecdotes. These will be exchanged over post-game pints for years to come. Memories will be made. In-jokes will live on through the season. And, many a belly laugh will be had. Just think of how many times you have been reminisced to yourself about jokes made and laughed at inappropriate moments! That is what it is all about. The moments that make your sides ache from laughing.

Outdoor Activities

Secondly, this incredible bonding experience transfers into your game play. Strategies are easily communicated and understood. There is an unspoken language that allows your team to psychically interact as they play. Therefore, hitting up some super fun outdoor activities will show your team just why they are so strong! New connections are made when you change up the game you are playing. New cognitive processes will be established. In addition, a day spent on a dirt buggy is a super exciting and trendy way to get out there and get the adrenaline flowing. Your team might take to it like ducks to water.

Unleash your Creative Side

Thirdly, getting away from it all is amazing for your mental health. A team trip away that focuses on unleashing inner creativity is cathartic and rewarding. Your team will return home relaxed and renewed, with a piece of amazing (or questionable!) art to have in their home. Playing with a team, no matter what the sport – is a creative pursuit. Therefore, you think on your feet and come up with new ideas all of the time. Team Weekends away that nurture this facility are super beneficial. And, your team will feel as though they all achieve something individual and that’s important too! Pottery making is a super therapeutic and relaxing way to engage with your creative side. Maybe someone will sculpt a trophy for a team mate! Or, print the team crest on a vase.

So whether you are going to tear it up on the dirt buggy track, or make like Patrick Swayze in Ghost and sculpt a masterpiece – you are going to have the craic. Strengthen the friendship in your team, embrace new members and say goodbye to old ones. And, celebrate victories and have fun with one another. Above all, your team are connected. In other words, they are a cracking bunch! Take plenty of photos for your locker room or training space. Most importantly, remember this incredible time.

The post Team Weekends Away appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Extreme sports team building: White water rafting? Why not! We have had a wide range of team building and team bonding activities reviewed at this stage. Some are great fun, like paintballing or kayaking. Some are exciting and give a great buzz, like activity courses, go-karting and buggy driving. Others can be described a very pleasant experiences. The spa and pamper afternoon for men are in this category. And, there is a massive range of pampering facilities available for ladies, of course! Then we have the sedentary team building exercise. Here, only the only drops of sweat are on the waiter’s forehead as the team relaxes having afternoon tea on the lawn by the shores of the Lakes of Killarney.

We have a range of team activities that stretch from plus one to nine on our activity Richter scale and everything in between.

Today we are going to view a team building event that goes outside that scope.

This team building exercise will get the adrenaline pumping and the heart racing. Today we are taking a look at a spine tingling and exhilaration team sport that will rock your team to the core. We are going white water rafting in Scotland. Make sure that the company accountant is aware that you and your business team are sticking the hand out for a good budget! One that will get you and your team up into the Scottish mountains where the tumbling river torrents have venom and little mercy.

It’s cold, fast and furious. And, when you think you have reached the pinnacle of excitement, the raft lunges down another turbulent narrow gorge. Framed with threatening rocks and lofty Scottish pines, each turn makes your heart tastes salty as in bounces into the back of your mouth. Your instinct is to scream but your voice was left on the last bank at the top of the incline.

The yellow rubber raft is four meters long; it’s robust and carries six victims – sorry! team members!

Each member has a wet suit, helmet and life jacket and holds a paddle. Each raft has an instructor who roars out instructions as the yellow machine goes from naught to sixty in three seconds. Did I mention the steering wheel? No? that’s because there isn’t one. Guiding this water toboggan down the rocky water chute, over weirs, around bends, through raging pools is done by the six on board using their paddles. Therefore, a practice is first held in the calmness of a peaceful pool at the head of the river.

The instructor will advise in how to use the paddles. They will tell you and your team to be alert to her instructions as the craft bounces down the ravine. You will be told that there is a possibility of falling overboard and getting separated from the craft. There is also the possibility of the craft overturning and getting trapped underneath and how to deal with that. At this point you’re approaching cardiac arrest, and that’s even before its game on.

This is a team effort, a team building exercise that is purely high octane stuff, adrenaline rush that goes faster than the water.

Because of the altitude and the time of year and because it is far north, it is freezing. Sympathy is stuffed down behind the couch back at the hotel. The instructions are clear and you paddle out of the calm pool. Literally, the gate is open and the bull is ready for the ring with a big desire to get the riders off his back. The craft lunges forward amid the screams. Game on baby!

The post Extreme sports team building: White water rafting appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Well, how long is a piece of string?

If you need to build sandcastles you go to a beach, if you need to go sailing you go to sea, and if your team decides that mountain climbing is the perfect event for them then it’s off into the country and find a mountain range.

Horses for courses: So then why would we think it strange that the team would select Dublin as a destination for team building? It is the capital city of the country and has the greatest and most diverse range of activities than anywhere else in the country! When it comes to team building and group bonding that we are all on different pages at the beginning. It takes time, effort, leadership and coaxing to sometimes get a consensus. Nothing wrong with that really and it does show democracy at work. Someone always needs to put their hand up and take the initiative. It’s what happens. Others prefer to be led than and that’s fine too. The whole point about leadership get-a ways and team building events is it opens up opportunities for those who neither are, nor regarded as natural leaders.

It also brings out qualities that may not be apparent in an office environment. It gives all participants a chance to see what other members can bring to the party. Just because a team member it red hot at computing doesn’t mean that they are dumb when it comes to outdoor pursuits or outdoor team leadership. There’s many a gem hidden under a corporate rock and a spell away from the work environment can often help to unearth such gems. So let’s bring it on.

Back to Dublin and the reasons for selecting it as a corporate event outing destination for the team.

The variety of activities, places of interest, art galleries, hotels, pubs, restaurants are as long as they are interesting.

Whatever we find in other places in Ireland, we can find the whole bundle of them in Dublin. Dublin is not just the capital of Ireland now, it’s a vibrant European city and pretty much like New York, it’s a city that never sleeps. The only drawback is probably the extent of the activities. There will surely be some disagreement within the group as to what is a priority. This takes the team back to the reality of democracy and consensus. THE main attractions are the art galleries and the museums, the range of bridges spanning the river liffey. The enormity of the phoenix park, which houses the Zoo and the Aras, home of the President of Ireland is not fully appreciated.

It totals over 1700 acres and is bigger than Central park in New York and Hyde Park in London. There are lots of other main stream activities to keep the team happy.

Another reason for selecting Dublin as a destination for the team is its access.

The main railway hub in Ireland is at Heuston Station and it services the south, the south east and the west of Ireland. A second station at Connolly serves the north east and Belfast. Dublin airport is now one of the busiest in Europe and has connections to multiple destinations in not just Europe but worldwide. Ferries sail in and out of Dublin Port every day to the UK and continental Europe. So it your group or team are planning a spell in Dublin and moving on as a part of that team building exercise all travelling options are open. Finally, Dublin as we have stated is not just the capital of Ireland, a European city, but is a multicultural location that can compete with the best in the world at anytime.

The post Dublin for your team building event, three reasons for selecting Dublin appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Team building and team bonding isn’t just for footballers or rugby players or those involved in team sports. It is also about creating a healthy and harmonious atmosphere within the confines of the workplace. A happy staff, or team, leads to better productivity and a friendlier environment. The knock-on effects from that happy environment are indeed multiple. Apart from productivity, staff or team retention in today’s market is critical. Demand for highly productive, well educated team members is at an all time high. Therefore, making the work place a happy place will be the first brick in the wall.

Team building and breaks away from the desks are paramount for a successful work place environment. We have discussed a myriad of options that involve both the ladies and the gents in the company getting together for team building. Sometimes, it’s ladies only and sometimes the concentration is on the men.

Today we are discussing an option for the male team member, that’s usually regarded as the preserve of the ladies. That option is a Spa and a pamper afternoon.

First of all, the spa is not just for ladies!

And, while the lads from the office might think of it as girly, forget it! Drop the caveman attitude and get the male team along to a Dublin spa for some real body treatment.

The fear for some blokes is that it’s all about fluffy dressing gowns slices of cucumber on the eye lids and delicate perfumes. Wrong again! The body and mind needs relaxing whether it’s male or female. The Idea is that on entering a spa the man will immediately experience the feeling of calm. The Therapists will focus on the stress points so that the body’s well being is assured and that the mind is free to drift to a higher altitude. The highly trained staff will guide your team through each step of your relaxing journey.

It’s amazing how relaxed, revitalized and rejuvenated you will feel after the treatment.

Depending on where exactly you take your male team, a variety of treatments are available, each with its own unique selling point.

Indian head massages are popular with most establishments. They involve a relaxing face, neck, shoulder and head massage. The treatment is steeped in Indian tradition and with their skill set, the masseuse will work on the head and scalp to ease out all the tensions above the shoulder areas.

Men with sinus problems and tired eyes will also experience a major improvement. Other treatments for instance involve a pine and eucalyptus enriched moor mud back treatment followed by a back massage. Or why not try a Hot stone back massage and or maybe a hot stone leg and foot massage.

The hot stone heat penetrates the deep muscle tissue and eliminates the need for an excruciating deep muscle massage that makes the cure worse than the disease.

The male members of your team will experience a life changing moment when they are whisked off for a Spa and pamper afternoon.

Once the body is successfully sorted, the mind in a peaceful orbit. A pleasant feeling of well being will hang on the body like a well cut suit. It can be regarded as a job well done and an initiative that was worth pursuing. The spa will no longer just be for the ladies in the team but also for the macho males that had never had the experience before.

The post Why a spa and pamper afternoon isn’t just for the girls in the office appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Summer is creeping in over the horizon! The first swallows are whizzing excitedly about overhead making their shrill sounds and announcing the beginning of the season.

Time to start thinking about the office day out and a bonding and team building event! There are loads of activities that will light the fires under the weariest of office members and get them thinking about the summer day out. Inclusive activities are always top of the team leaders lists. These range from kite surfing, canoeing, and power boating, to hill walking, spa treatments and fine dining.

Let us look at a completely different idea for the team event away this year. Consider a trip to the Gaeltach! In particular, the beautiful area of Dingle and the dingle peninsula. Get lucky with the weather and it is a most stunning experience. The team leaders and organisers will need to plan carefully for this trip. This is because,  your teams starting point will have huge bearing on travel arrangements. For instance, if your team is coming from an area on the west or south coast hiring a mini bus would be ideal.

As in any team building exercise, planning should be split up among team members as this promotes a spirit of inclusiveness and makes team members feel important. If the team is travelling from a destination farther north like Dublin or Belfast, taking the train to killarney and a coach from there to Dingle would be practical. Killarney to Dingle is a little over an hour’s drive.

The first reason that the team day out should be to Dingle has just got to be the stunning scenery.

All team members will be gob smacked as it has been described as the first place that God made. The view opens up to reveal the stunning beach at Inch on the narrow road in from Castlemaine . It is facing south west and in line with the prevailing winds. Therefore, the surf is constantly crashing in on the golden sand making it a paradise for swimmers and surfers. After a photo stop and a coffee and scone, the team then head off into the beautiful, colourful fishing town of dingle to begin their next experience.

The second reason we have chosen the area is the buzz in this marine Gaeltach town.

Beautiful little shops selling artisan products, glorious pubs where the locals converse in Irish and at the same time enjoy the craic and Irish music. Restaurants are plentiful and the quality and range of menus will satisfy the most discerning of diners. Of course the team could take a boat trip out the harbor for an encounter with the famous Dingle dolphin called Fungi

Third on our list is a trip around the Dingle peninsula.

Here the team will see the beautiful beaches at Ventry and the historical bee hive huts. They will see the Blasket islands off shore, including “The Sleeping Giant” and of course the stunning Slea head where the film “Ryan’s daughter” was shot some years ago.

The fourth buzz point is the mountain back drop dotted with stone walls and sheep.

Ruined stone cottages from the famine times are a testimony to the tragedy of our history. And, a reminder of the families that were decimated and those that emigrated. Should the budget stretch to two days, there are plenty of Hotels and guest houses in the area.

The post 4 reasons why a trip to the Gaeltach is good for team building and a unique bonding session appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Three stimulating reasons :

We all know the benefits that we gain from taking a leisurely walk in the countryside. The tingling feeling as the body warms up and the breathing increases. The gentle push of the breeze against your face, the sounds of the countryside, birds, cattle, farm machinery and some traffic all add to the moments of serenity and pleasure. The freedom of being out of the rat race, whether on your own or with a team training to get fitter and healthier, is of great benefit to you and your team. That’s an easy option and while very enjoyable for team training or solo recreation it will not bring on a stimulation that will leave you in a mind blowing situation. Let’s examine another team building extreme sport that will test the team and it daring qualities;

We are talking about Skydiving, also called parachuting.

There are several places in Ireland that cater for the parachuting enthusiasts and the nearest to Dublin is an area in Kildare. Generally, this sport is very much weather dependant.

Low cloud cover makes it a non event. Visibility is a key factor not just for the aircraft pilot, but for the teams participating.

Let’s be honest, there’s no point in jumping out of a plane at 10.000 feet if you can’t see the ground. The whole adrenaline rush would be lost.

We are highlighting three factors that make this team experience high on the adrenaline rush Geiger counter.

Number one is turning up at the aerodrome with all your team members and getting the feeling of trepidation as you kit out in the gear, parachute and slip on the helmet.

Gloves and goggles are supplied! Let’s be honest, this is an extreme sport and can be dangerous or fatal so qualified instructors are on hand to make sure that everything is done according to the regulations. Because there are risks means that we class it as an extreme sport. Therefore, the exhilaration that the team will experience illustrates our desire to push the boundaries out. Everything is done with military precision with no chances taken as the team enters the aircraft and prepares for takeoff.

Team leaders will say some reassuring words as the plane picks up speed and lifts off into the clear blue sky. Butterflies will begin swirling around in some stomachs, hands will become sweaty and mouths dry out. Suddenly the plane is at ten thousand feet and the instructor starts the jump sequence. No turning back at this stage as someone shouts “Geronimo” and disappears out into the great emptiness.

This is where the second great adrenaline rush kicks in as team members fall and accelerate to 120 miles per hour (terminal velocity) in less than ten seconds.

The wind rush distorts the facial features so the fear factor is not plain to see. It is an unbelievable feeling. A mixture of exhilaration, nervousness and thrilling expectation as the ground appears to rise up to meet you. The cord is pulled and the traffic slows down to a crawl. Time to draw breath and view the landscape from a place inhabited only by the birds; silence wraps you in a blanket and leaves the team in awe as the gap between feet and ground closes.

Then the third great adrenaline kicks in.

The landing is soft but the euphoria is truly hard core.

The post Skydiving experience as a team building exercise appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Bigpotatoes was very impressed on a recent visit to Limerick and so we wanted to share our findings with any of you planning a team outing!

Bigpotatoes.ie has had a great input from the businesses and hot spots in the city and we are working with their advice on how to help the team leaders everywhere to bring their football, hockey, rugby and GAA teams to the Treaty city and suck up the beauty and the atmosphere. Limerick is a buzzing university city and we want to share this with you!

Limerick has everything from sizzling food to street art. As they say in the Treaty City, ‘there is something in the air in Limerick right now, so lets’ make tracks’. Making a really early start and breakfast in Limerick will give plenty of time for visiting all the sights.

1. The Big Breakfast.

This is an old fashioned Irish tradition, breakfast like a king and where better than The Canteen. Chef Paul Williams has brought a beautiful casual edge to Mallow Street. Good food, good coffee and good prices that the team will enjoy. A tip! Try the green eggs and ham, a delicious plate of poached eggs, avocado and chilli sauce topped off with bacon. Lots of other enticing options on the menu;

2. Thomond Park, home of Munster Rugby.

Thomond Park is Legendary in the sports world and a fortress for the home team. Take the team on a tour of this stadium and feel what the players feel when they walk into the dressing room and out on to the pitch. Browse through the museum and get a glance of the memorabilia of some of the great players that wore the red jersey of Munster. What better way to boost team morale than to take the team to the home of legends. You might even see some players!

3. The Hunt Museum and the Limerick City gallery.

In 2014 Limerick had the honour of being Ireland’s first city of Culture. While that showcased the City it also brought attention to the wonderful historical artifacts in the above galleries. The team will witness a different side of Limerick’s culture and it could be something different for them from the norm.

4. Street art.

This will be appreciated by the whole team. Have the cameras ready for some stunning photos in Limerick. Limerick is a fun vibrant university city and there is street art everywhere. This gives the outing and the trip great energy and life. Limerick has art in spades and this will add to your amazing day out

Well, there you have it! 4 great reasons for taking your office team on a trip to limerick Your team will be talking about it for weeks!

The post 4 great reasons for taking your office team on a trip to limerick.  appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Bigpotatoes is working on establishing a diverse range of activities for team builders. Team building in the employment space is so important not just for the staff member but for the company as well. Team building and team leadership building encourages staff members to work in harmony. Therefore the team learn how to understand one another better. The team will benefit by having a more harmonious work space. And, the company will benefit by having more loyalty and better productivity. It’s a win, win, situation for all concerned!

Today we recommend something completely different. It will increase the heart rates of all on the team building day out. We are going to go to Falconry.

Yes, to take a bird of prey in the hand and get it to soar up into the sky. There are several falconry’s in Ireland and they all provide an excellent day out.

First a little bit of background on falconry: Falconry is a sport with a long social and historic history. It is the art of using a wild bird to attack its prey in its natural habitat. Falconry originated in Korea around 2000 BC. It spread throughout China and Japan before spreading west to Persia. From there it spread to the Arab world with the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan. The returning crusaders brought it back to Europe. It was used more as a means of catching prey rather than just a sport at that time. Falconry flourished for centuries till the advent of firearms. It was in decline for many years until the emergence of modern falconry. This is now considered the fastest growing country sport in North America and Europe.

So, the first thing the team needs to do is select a location and make plans. It is a good idea for team leaders to divide up the responsibilities so that the whole team feels involved. At bigpotatoes we are great believers in the old fashioned map. So get a team member to purchase a map and look at the different locations. Select a location and check the booking details on their web site.

Select a day, make the booking and turn up. Corporate rates are available for business teams and team building days out.

The first exciting reason :

The first exciting reason for this day out becomes obvious very quickly when the staff introduce the team to these magnificent birds.

The most popular birds used are the Harris Hawks. The team or guests are then brought to a sparsely wooded area in the countryside where they will be given the opportunity of handling the birds and putting them through their paces.

Most of the falconry’s carry out their routines in the traditional manner. They employ techniques dating back thousands of years. They have married those skills with modern technology and they keep abreast of conservation and the welfare of their birds.

The second exciting moment :

When a team member slips on the glove and holds the falcon for the first time. That is an awesome moment.

The third exciting moment :

When the bird leaves the gloved hand. The thrill of flying your own hawk in natural surroundings.

The fourth exciting moment :

When the bird swoops down from the sky and settles on the gloved hand. It’s exhilarating stuff!

There are loads of species in the falconry. The team will enjoy their introduction! Their will be a few photo opportunities too!

Your team will love this amazing trip.

The post Four exciting reasons for taking your office team building day out to a falconry appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Now if its rugged beauty you are after for your team and you want them to enjoy the beauty of the coast around Ireland then there’s no better place to go than the south west coast.

As we have mentioned previously, this is God’s country.

This is an area of stunning beauty and is teeming with amazing marine wildlife. This area is the Skellig Coast. It is part of the Kerry coast but narrowed down, it highlights the amazing sea world on our door step. The Skellig coast line covers some 130 kilometers from Castle cove in the East to Kells Bay in the west.

The area takes in the Iveragh Peninsula out towards Derrynane and the Beara peninsula out to Bull rock on the Southern side of Kenmare bay. This is one of the most exposed coastlines along the Wild Atlantic Way and bigpotatoes recommends that your team put it on their priority “to do list”. The diversity of the scenery is stunning and includes cliffs, bays, islands and the mountains in the back ground. This means that much of this area is full of marine wild life and so the coastal area is protected by European legislation. Therefore that includes Natural Heritage areas and the Kenmare river special area of conservation.

Getting to the area will take some planning by the team leaders. Don’t just flake off and depend on your Sat Nav system. Get one of the team members to out and buy a good old fashioned map of Ireland. That will give the team perspective. It will also give the team an overall view of the area in relation to the rest of the country. The team will see in one quick glance the designated area and all the small towns, villages and bays in the area.

For the team benefit and to stay focused we are going to concentrate on the Area of Kenmare bay.

Reason 1 :

The first top reason for bonding on the Skellig coast is the journey to Kenmare. Stunning sea views as the team drives along the roads west of Bantry. The mountains always as a back drop. Most time they are covered in beautiful purple heather. If the weather is good, visibility clear the team will be really excited.

Reason 2 :

The second of our four top reasons is meeting the boat and boarding in Kenmare. The sounds of the sea water gently lapping at the hull of the craft will add to the ambience. The boats are licensed by the Government and the Skipper and crew are very experienced and expert at finding the right spots for exciting viewing.

When the team is ready, life jackets put and instructions and safety outlined the boat moves off from the pier. The team is heading out into open waters. The thrill of being at one with nature as the spray rises behind the boat is awesome. Soon the team will be out into the spotting grounds and scanning for the Marine life. Bigpotatoes recommends bringing binoculars.

Reason 3 :

The third reason is about to unfold. Kenmare bay affords wonderful opportunities to see some of the largest animals on the planet. The team should keep their eyes peeled for the second largest fish in the world, the basking shark. It can grow up to 25 meters in length and it just casually swims around on the surface feeding on plankton. It has a triangular dorsal fin and that’s a real give away. Sometimes as many as ten of these creatures can be spotted swimming together; the fourth reason is the possibility of Whale sightings. These can include minke and fin whales.

That’s only the beginning. It’s a trip of a lifetime.

The post Four top reasons for team bonding on the Skellig coast while whale, dolphin and marine wildlife watching appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Kinsale on the south coast of Ireland is generally classified as the gourmet capital of Ireland. There are more top class restaurants per block than you could shake a stick at. While the restaurant, hotel and tourist industry in Kinsale is vibrant, the town itself has some beautiful quaint shops and winding streets. Of course we often overlook the fact that Kinsale is a stone’s throw from the ocean. The town itself is built on the river Bandon. The river flows past the town and swings right and passes between Charles fort and James fort. Kinsale was a marine fortress used by the English navy from the year 1601.

Getting to Kinsale is easy for your team. A bus service runs regularly from Cork city a mere thirty minute away. Off the quay wall on the left as you pass through Kinsale town is the yacht marina.

The first Adrenaline hit :

The first Adrenaline hit will come as your team makes its way down the causeway and onto the marina. Your chariot awaits, all thirty odd feet of this modern sailing boat. While your team will be instructed will be expected to take full part in crewing the craft on tasks. This is while they learn about safety features, dangers and nautical terminology.

When the Instructions to the team are over, the skipper will cast off the shore lines and motor away from the marina. The prevailing wind is south westerly so in order to hoist the main sail and the bow of the boat is set into the wind. Therefore minimising the pressure on the sail. Team members will be asked to use the winches in order to get the sail up tight. And, another team member will be shown how to secure to rope in a jam cleat. The boat is steered off when the sail is secured.

The second adrenaline rush :

The second adrenaline rush will kick in at this point as the boat leans over and moves forward at the same time.

The headsail is then unfurled and tightened by hauling it in on a winch in the cockpit. The pressure on the ropes from the strength of the wind will be considerable. It will take two team members or crew members to complete that task. As the wind is coming from the south west and as the boat is heading in a southerly direction out the harbour the boat picks up speed.

The third adrenaline rush :

The third adrenaline rush is just a moment away. A gust of wind known as a squall hits the boat and she puts her lower deck down into the tide. Ropes are slackened slightly to counter balance while at the same time the boat picks up more speed. The thrills are more frequent as the boat reacts to the weather and tosses spray back along the deck and the team.

The fourth Adrenaline rush :

The fourth Adrenaline rush hits the button as the boat reaches the mouth of the harbour by the bullman buoy and encounters the Atlantic waves. Not only has she her ear down in the surf but she is plugging into some serious waves and weather. Thrilling stuff but not for the feint hearted.

The fifth Adrenaline rush :

The fifth Adrenaline rush comes as the skipper turns the boat and heads back in shore. It requires all ropes to be slackened and allow the sail to be set on the opposite side adding to an exhilarating team day out.

So organise a sailing trip like this for your team! All of that adrenaline will get the blood pumping and clear out the cobwebs. This activity is perfect for the team that is mostly based in an office.

The post Team work and leadership on a thirty foot yacht sailing out of Kinsale harbour. Five adrenaline hits. appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Spike Island sits right in the middle of Cork Harbour. Cork harbour is regarded as the second best natural harbour in the world. It has ninety square miles of water. Spike Island is one of five islands in the harbour area. The island itself is made up of 104 acres in total including a 24 acre fortress called Fort Mitchell, also known as Fortress Spike.

The first activity recorded on Spike Island was a sixth century monastery. It remained a monastic settlement for several hundred years until probably the Norse invasion from the Scandinavian Countries. There were centuries of island homes with inhabitants commuting by boat to the main Island, or great Island with the town of Cobh as its capital. Spike had its role changed several times during its history. For a time it was used as a quarantine for cattle and livestock. Most famously it made its name as a prison fortress. Designed and built about 200 years ago in the shape of a star, it went from being a military fortress at one stage to becoming the world’s largest prison.

Now that we have an overview of the Island let us go through the five reasons why it is a great for team building and a team day out;

Reason one, no one can just rock up and drift inside the fortress. It is after all an island and access is by way of a ferry from Kennedy Quay in the harbour town of Cobh. So the first adrenaline hit will come as the team make their way along the quay and embark on the vessel for the ten/twenty minute trip to the Island.

The tour starts as the team disembark from the ferry on to this unique Island. Teams can avail of the island guided tours; use an audio guide or just self exploration.

Immerse your team in the fascinating history that includes Monks and Monasteries, raiders and pirates; captors and convicts and saints and sinners. The 200 year old history of the fort will keep the team riveted for the duration of the day.

Reason two, the tableau of scenes depicting the inmates of the prison in particular the punishment block that was constructed in 1858 after a warden was killed. The real live scenes will make the hair stand up on the back of the combined team’s heads. Conditions were horrendous and punishment very severe. It was the world’s largest prison with as many as 2300 inmates.

Escape from the island was impossible even though several brave souls attempted it. The tidal current between Spike and Cobh roars through the estuary and makes swimming practically impossible.

Reason three on the adrenaline list is a state of the art Computer simulation room. It is here that a computer rendering of cork harbour allows team members to take control and pilot a ship or even protect Cork Harbour from attack. This aspect of the Island visit will certainly appeal to all the computer geeks.

Reason number four for your team building visit to Spike is the range of activities that are available when the team has soaked up all the interesting history.

There are adventure activities. Also there are obstacle courses for the energetic team members. The team can spend time on an archaeology dig. Plenty to excite the curious team members; For team leaders there is nothing better than donning military dress and barking out orders as your team drills.

What about Jail break orienteering for the adventure lovers of the team?

Reason number five is the refreshments side of the events. Restaurants and shops to relax in before heading back to Cobh.

Cork is a great location for team building! Check out what else this county has to offer here.

The post A team building day at Spike Island: 5 reasons why it’s a must for a day event appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Bigpotatoes continuously looks at alternatives for team building exercises. Many people just don’t know to start looking. Our expertise and knowledge is crucial in this regard. Bigpotatoes examines the range of activities and challenges that are available and matches them with your team building requirements. Some are high octane events. Others are physical and adrenaline pumping. More are “living on the edge” stuff. We do team building for those that want to go on tours. For teams that like marine activities. For teams that prefer quiet sedentary events. Other teams like to be chaperoned and touring is into their oil can. As we at bigpotatoes say, “its horses for courses”.

One that never fails to excite is a trip to Dublin City for the team. The range of interesting events, historical buildings and cultural occasions is huge. Train services to Dublin are from all corners of the country. So getting your team to the capital is not going to take a huge amount of effort and the team won’t spend days planning the travelling arrangements.

Again as we at bigpotatoes repeatedly say, plan, plan, plan.

Get the whole team involved in making the choices. Team leaders will ultimately make the final decision but get in with your tuppence worth, while you have a chance.

The First Reason :

The first reason that Dublin is perfect for team building is the diversity and ease of access. Take the train and arrive in Heuston station. From there take the luas to the city centre. Let the team walk over to O’Connell Street. Admire the spire; Visit the historic GPO where the Easter uprising began in 1916. The bullet marks are still visible in the outer walls. Take the team for a coffee or a light breakfast in any of the restaurants on O’Connell Street.

When the troops, meaning the team, are fed and watered take a bus out to Kilmainham Gaol. This is when the day really kicks off for the team.

The Second Reason :

The second and main reason the team has selected Dublin is the visit to Kilmainham Gaol.

The team will discover the fascinating history of the Gaol and the role it played in rallying the Irish people in the pursuit of independence. The highlights for the team are, seeing the execution site of the leaders of the 1916 Uprising. What else? A visit by the team to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.

The team will also experience what life was like during the many Irish Uprisings. Therefore, they will hear about the historical events that changed the course of Irish History. And, everyone will first be taken on a guided walk through the famous Kilmainham Gaol! This means that they will discover the fascinating history and the role it played in rallying the Irish people to pursue independence from England and the English parliament.

Once inside the Gaol the team will hear of its dark history while walking in the footsteps of many of its inmates.  The team can learn about the Irish and English politics while the guide will tell the team more about some of its notorious prisoners including the leaders of the 1916 rising.

Many women were also incarcerated in Kilmainham

This is including Countess Markievicz, an Irish Politician and Nationalist who was awaiting execution for the part that she played in the Rising. The team will get a chance to visit the cells of some of the more infamous inmates as well as some of its youngest. The building itself has been fully restored and is a joy to visit.

The third reason is the conclusion of the team’s tour and dinner in Dublin!

Your team will be inspired and full of ideas after this trip. What better way to polish the day off with an amazing dinner in one of Dublin’s many celebrated restaurants.

Want to go further afield?! Check out our top three locations for Team Bonding in Europe!

The post Three reasons why a trip to Dublin and a tour of Kilmainham Gaol-war and revolution tour is perfect for team building appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Sea kayaking as a team building exercise for hotel staff has a lot of benefits. One of the most important industries that we have in Ireland is the tourist and hospitality business. This has lead to more hotels. Why? The increase in demand for accommodation for both local and foreign visitors. 

It’s great to be in demand! But, gone are the days when any old standard was good enough as you could cover a multitude with the coat of Irish charm. Gone are the days of pigs in the parlour and chickens on the table. Visitors want proper standards in hotels. Those standards are maintained by the hotel staff. The team behind the team at the front desk; hotel staff more than staffs in any other business have to be so diverse and operate as different teams at different points of the establishment; those different teams also have to work in harmony.

That is why team building and team leadership is critical to the success of the business. The hotel teams are all working under enormous time pressures so team breaks to rejuvenate is very important. It will be appreciated and will contribute to better work relationships in the business.

Bigpotatoes suggests that the hotel workers team should get up close and personal with nature; get outdoors and do some river or sea Kayaking!

The First Reason :

The first reason for taking the team kayaking is to get everyone outdoors and into the fresh air. Kayaking is not the first activity that would spring to mind for most team organisers but it is brilliant. The Irish times said of their trip that it was one of the most magical experiences that you could have anywhere in the world. So at bigpotatoes we would as usual advise the team leaders to involve all the team in the putting together of the trip. The south coast of Ireland is our main focus and we will highlight some of the options and the thrills.

The Second Reason :

The second reason is the absolutely beauty of the scenery as the team takes to the kayaks and head off. There are starting points at lots of different locations, but we will concentrate and recommend a few for hotel teams.

One that would suit the team would be a full day trip of Baltimore and Carbery’s hundred isles. The team, in double kayaks will paddle off into some astoundingly beautiful and remote coves, caves and islands. They will glide gracefully and silently along observing the marine wildlife, the occasional dolphin, gulls and herons. There will be schools of mackerel and raw nature at sea level. Why is this beneficial? Well, this will relax the hotel team as they will feel in a different world. And, opportunities will be presented to the team to stop for lunch and refreshments. The team will return to the mainland later. All Kayak trips are supervised by trained operators who have a deep understanding of the waters and also the dangers.

The Third Reason :

There are several other kayak trips on the coast. Our third reason is the trip in Lough Hyne. Lough Hyne is Northern Europe’s only inland saltwater lake. This is a beautiful team building trip but is tide dependant. The trip begins in the Lough and makes its way to the open sea through a short channel called “the narrows”. Once in the open sea the team will have an opportunity to explore caves and islands before returning on the tide.

The Fourth Reason :

The fourth reason is doing a river trip under the bridges of the river Lee. Cork is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the north. View the city and learn the history from the views on the river.

So, sea kayaking as a team building exercise for hotel staff has many merits indeed! Show this list to your boss or your team and they will be reaching for their paddles. Enjoy this refreshing experience and breath new life into the bonds that exist within your team.

The post Sea kayaking as a team building exercise for hotel staff appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The four high adrenaline team activities worth talking about

WE must think of increased heart rate, tingling sensation, being on the edge, adrenaline rush, lung bursting, exhilarating and breath taking if we want to get that fulfilling electrifying experience.

There’s a lot of movement required to push all those buttons.

Again, this comes with a health warning to the team leaders. Not that any of the activities are going to be a danger to life and limb. They are all suitably supervised and the proper gear and safety measures are paramount. But life in the slow lane may not ever be the same again.

As you lead your team onto one of these amazing gob smacking adventures and then expect them to put on a shirt and tie and be energized going forward, from just the chat at the water cooler or a game of pitch and putt, think again buddy.

As you rev up your team for the occasion and you drive the “thrill button” up several notches be prepared for an adrenaline hangover. You may achieve your goal in bonding and team building. But a day out with the people from the office will never be the same again. Talk to management first about increasing the recreational budget before you stick your feet into the wet cement.

Let’s start with the obstacle course. Get a serious one: don’t do short cuts or sissy stuff. You want a full military designed course that will leave your team sweaty and exhausted on completion.

Crawling through mud and under attack from the enemy; Razor wire curing the itch on your back, up and over the horizontal pole wall with the clock against you and your team and the opposing team breathing fire down your neck. Struggle to get up the vertical nets before climbing the hanging ropes. Then onto the zip wire that takes you right through the freezing river water. At what feels like a hundred miles an hour. The rubber tractor tyre obstacles will definitely put manners on the calf muscles before the sprint to the safety of the finishing line. If you and your team are not on your hands and knees gasping for air at that stage, and saying a few Hail Mary’s. Then you have turned up at the wrong venue. That’s one that will soften the cough of the whole team.

Parachute Jumping; correct, parachute jumping.

Be warned, if your team or any of them are scared of heights. This may not be your team building cup of tea. That said, once members exit the door of the aircraft and the rip cord opens the parachute, it’s just pure buzz. Silence as the plane vanishes out of sight and the manic sensation of the wind rushing past your face kicks in and you float gently downwards. The views as you drift on air currents. That only the eagles and skylarks get to experience will be forever locked in your memory bank.

This is toe curling stuff and reaches its crescendo as the soles of your boots line up to touch terra firma once again. As you connect with the earth and your team does likewise. You will attempt to gather in your chute as you get your bum off the grass. It is quite likely that you will hear your team shouting and whooping as they spill out their emotions.

As it’s hard for your team to beat that in terms of high octane activities. The number three on the list of four is a return jump from the same aircraft.

Last but not least is a bungee jump over the Water. Weather and location will play a vital part in this. Again, like the last activity, anyone without a head for heights or knowing that their arse has left its original body position and now appears to be stuck in their helmet as they descend at a frightening speed towards the water below only to be checked by the elastic bungee, should just go and have a cup of tea.

So, which of The four high adrenaline team activities worth talking about would you choose?

The post The four high adrenaline team activities worth talking about appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The top four adventure activities in Ireland

We go back here to “one man’s meat is another man’s poison”

“Different strokes for different folks”

Playing golf on an 18 hole golf course that takes several hours will be viewed by some as Nirvana. While someone else considers it “a good walk spoiled”

Generally speaking we are looking at high octane adventure activities and so in keeping with the philosophy of team building and team activities we will put the focus on exhilarating sports.

Karting

Top of the list for most teams has got to be Karting. Customised Karts and cleverly designed race tracks are two of the main ingredients for this spine tingling sport. There is of course much more to it than that and we will touch on all those factors as we progress. The Karts themselves are powered by small petrol engines. The more competent a driver you are the bigger the engine capacity of your vehicle. The aerodynamic design of the Kart means that the wheels are small and the body very close to the ground. This allows them to be driven at a maximum speed of sixty miles an hour.

Not frightening fast on a motorway, but fast enough to get the juices flowing on a specially designed race track. Tight corners, left and right hand bends and fast straight runs all add to the thrill of the race. Proper safety clothes and helmets are worn and drivers are advised on how to perform. After a practice lap your car is timed electronically by control staff that measure the time to do a lap. In team events groups can have their lap times added together and so work out the winners with the fastest lap times.

Dirt Buggies

On the same theme of driving it is worth looking at buggy driving on rough terrain. The buggies are specially designed metal cars with carefully adapted suspension, anti roll bars, seat belts and very robust bodies that allow the participants or teams race over undulating terrain. This could be sand dunes but more likely a disused quarry.

A large shallow pool, steep climbs and bumpy ground means that the drivers have to have full concentration at all times. It allows team organisers and their teams a chance to do what is forbidden on the public roads and go like the clappers. This activity is a must for the “living on the edge freak”

Kayaking

Getting away from self propelled is a must at some stage and what better way than Kayaking. There are lots of different locations in Ireland that are little gems for this activity. Two that jump off the page are Bantry bay and Killary Fjord. One on the beautiful south coast and close to the historic town of Bantry and the other in the rugged west of Ireland accessed through Connemara.

Different terrains and different experiences visually at least; However, the concept and kayak’s are pretty much the same as you slip into a one man “canoe” and propel and guide it with your paddle, a spoon in each end of the pole. Instructors are always on hand to guide participants and ensure that all on the water are never in any danger. The thrill is being so close to the water without actually being in it. Sea birds and fish in clear water are a joy to watch in this thrilling and silent sport.

Surfing

Surfing on the West of Ireland is another must for the outdoor freak and adrenaline junkie.  Anywhere from Dingle bay to Donegal is as challenging as it gets for the lovers of mighty waves and rolling surf. Any of the water activities web sites will have details of the best locations depending on the wind and weather. It’s not for the feint hearted but if it’s thrill a minute stuff your team are after, this will push all the buttons.

So, which of The top four adventure activities in Ireland will you choose for your next team building event?

The post The top four adventure activities in Ireland appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Five reasons your rugby team needs a trip away

It could easily be escape, escape, escape, escape and escape:

It all depends on multiple factors as we all know. Nothing is simple when it comes to life or taking a rugby trip away. The most important factor apart from the multiple factors is the good old fashioned break.

It also helps to rejuvenate and re build team bonding and team leadership. They are the critical factors but they may not necessarily be the prime motivator in the urge to take a trip away.

Destination

Let us consider first of all, a destination. Somewhere that is easily accessible from the Emerald Isle. Wales has got to be top of the list as it is the spiritual home of rugby. While the provincial teams may be hitting a rocky patch, the smaller clubs in the towns and valley’s are thriving. The Welsh are our Gaelic first cousins, so to speak and share our tastes and humour. They would also bite your hand off for a chance to compete against an Irish club team. Most of the rugby teams in this country would have contacts with their Welsh counterparts so setting up a challenge game with a lash of pints afterwards, hotels and transport would be just a formality. Failing that the local IRFU branch would be well capable of steering a club in the right direction. Now that the location has been suggested, let’s get back to the reasons for such a trip. Of course it will have a lot to do with team building, team bonding, team friendship and team development but there are other aspects as well.

Reasons for the Trip

One of the principle reasons, depending on the time of year could be team reward. The season is long and tough and if the team ends up doing well or even winning the division title, then what can be a better team reward than taking the squad to Wales for a game of rugby and a good old knee’s up. It certainly helps pay back for the long torturous hours pushing a scrumage machine around a muddy surface with fellow team mates sweating bricks and ignoring the lashing rain in mid winter.

This is what separates the men from the boys but it also shows the commitment to the team and team building. That type of team bonding and team closeness cannot be purchased off a shelf in a sports store. Most team members would just love and away trip like that to Wales. Both countries are well served by air and sea connections.

Team Rewards

Another reason for a trip away to Wales could just be a thank you for the team that did not set the world on fire but showed great team spirit and drove on hard during the miserable winter months when the option of being coerced in to watching one of the soaps on television from the comfort of the couch often had more appeal. These are the players that deserve that break away. They may not be world beaters but they are the life blood of any club. These are the future of any club. These are the real team players. The team leaders going forward;

Underage teams are not just the present, they are the future. The future players, the future senior teams and the future team leaders.  Team leaders in this context does not necessarily mean team rugby players but team leaders in society. Business team leaders, hospital team leaders and political team leaders.

What they learn from team playing will stand to them all through their lives and so arranging a trip to Wales for the underage group will help with their development.

Developing international friendships by taking teams abroad helps to build relationships with people that don’t live in the same parish as us. Also understand how they view life and how they see us in a way that we don’t see ourselves. It goes towards building international team relationships with ultimately bring peace to all.

The final reason, of our five reasons your rugby team needs a trip away. We touched at the top; Escape.

The post Five reasons your rugby team needs a trip away appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The top three reasons it’s so important to team build

Trying to solve problems or develop ideas is naturally built into all of us and while much of the time we try to work things out for ourselves by ourselves.

Very commendable of course but think of it slightly differently. How much more successful the outcome might be if the approach was shared, in other words a team effort. We will examine the main benefits of team building, team bonding, and sharing team experiences as we look at the top three reasons as to why it is so important to team build.

Was it not Edison who once said after he was criticised for making ten thousand false attempts in perfecting the light bulb, “It’s not that I made ten thousand mistakes, but found ten thousand ways that it won’t work”.

Perhaps if Mr. Edison had been part of a team or team building or had a team working around him. He may well have solved the problem much sooner.

The first of our top three team building benefits is achieving goals.

Life is full of challenges and while we can individually rise to any challenge the benefits and results of working together as a team and in particular as we team build will accelerate the end result and more than likely also enhance it. This is most obvious say in team sports. While an argument will be made that a team sport is exactly what it says, a team sport. It is possible to have a team of very gifted and accomplished sports people playing together as a team and not functioning properly. It’s called individualism, brilliant at executing a particular skill but not functioning in a team set up.

In order to achieve the target, the individuals need to bond, need to team build, need to understand all other players and the part that they play in making the team strong. Make the team a unit by team building. Team leadership is important in building this concept. External leadership by a team leader or head coach, but internal team leaders in different areas of the team set up. Team leadership is particularly important in the game of rugby, for instance. It is often noted by commentators that a team had great team leaders all over the pitch. Forwards, backs, defenders, attackers, line jumpers and in the pack. So in order to achieve their goals, team building is paramount for success.

Personal Skills Building

As part of team building we develop interpersonal skills and we learn from others as we share ideas. Team building is not a one way street. It’s two way traffic; as you learn from a team member on the strengths and views as they see things and at the same time you can teach them on the basis of your own experience. That is applicable to all team sports but it also applies to everyday life. How many of our greyer population never had the opportunity of attending a third level college. Yet the experiences that these people have had, as they say, in the University of Life; can have a huge effect impact in team building in the progression of life’s goals.

One of the unseen benefits of team building is the development of friendships and social interaction. Man, and woman for that matter were not meant to be alone or solitary. Just by nature alone we see the necessity for the procreation. So that the world has its guardians and team leaders as time moves on. Friendship and personal attractions are not just essential for team building but more importantly for the good of humanity.

So, when you’re planning your next team building event. Don’t forget The top three reasons it’s so important to team build.

The post The top three reasons it’s so important to team build appeared first on BigPotatoes.

Five different types of personalities on a team away trip

Look at a team, any team, any discipline and take a look at the personalities involved. This will apply to all the different types of sports. Team sports and sporting bodies are filled with “Chalk and Cheese” members. It’s life. If we were all the same we’d all be Volkswagens. So we decided to have a look at the five different types of personalities on a team away trip.

So catering for such a diverse range of personalities can be a challenge to any team leader. That becomes more acute when planning an away trip. Team members no matter how good they are at their particular sport. Can be odd bods that have to be handled in a particular way.

We are looking at five different types but in those five different types there could be another five and another five on top of that of personality differences. It is not the colour of the paint, it’s the quality of the paint that matters we could say.

Then of course there is an age profile of participating members or players. And while it is now politically incorrect to differentiate on the basis of age, older bucks seem to do things in a more measured way with more planning rather than getting a rush of blood and making an irrational decision on the spur of the moment. It is called Cute Hoorism. I suppose this could define one of the five different personalities. Generally people of a same age, especially members of a team will have more in common. Than with the younger lads with no “No boundary” sign stapled to the inside of their heads.

On the field of play, the blend of youth and maturity is invaluable in the strategy of playing and executing the game plan. One is again, a little slower, more measured and has to make instinctive decision in split seconds knowing that getting it wrong does not allow for time to recover and make corrections whereas the younger, fitter and more likely lighter team player can dive into a situation knowing that if he gets it wrong he has the legs to correct the mistake.

The second type of player is what would be called the horizontal player. So laid back he is nearly parallel to the ground. Don’t be surprised if he turns up at the airport on the outward journey with just a dirty pair of boots in a plastic shopping bag and no luggage case. Cash and ID will be shoved down his arse pocket and he will be depending on borrowing a pair of shorts and socks from a team member. And “borrowing” a towel from the hotel bathroom. These laid back, “couldn’t give a tinkers curse” guys generally would nearly need a tracking device attached to the back of their necks.

Make sure that all monies due from these guys are collected before the first departure gate. A huge contrasting gap then appears between these guys. And the guy who thinks he’s the greatest player since Adam was an infant. But in reality can’t kick a ball. They usually have two pairs of everything, including boots, one with long studs, and the other with short ones. Everything is well organised and the hair is always perfect. No messing, no fooling about and drinks modestly if not a tee totaler.

This player will have his ticket paid for well in advance and can be depended on to do any task except score a goal. That said an invaluable member of the team. Then there are the regular guys who just turn up, play football, pay their bills, have a few pints and enjoy the craic. Generally these team players make up the majority of any travelling team. Yeah, all different not like the Volkswagens.

The post Five different types of personalities on a team away trip appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The top three locations for a team getaway in Europe

When we look at the options for teams of footballers, rugby players, golfers, GAA players, both social and semi professional for locations in Europe as destinations for a team break, team bonding or just a team event away, the range is mighty. So, we put together the top three locations for a team getaway in Europe.

It’s a case of how long is a piece of string.

There are many factors in this equation that are worth considering and there are just as many more that are vital to the success of such an event.

The starting point for the team has to be the starting point. That may seem like an obvious statement but it infers the actual geographical point from where the team is based. As Dublin is one of the busiest airports in Europe, the range and choice of destinations for a group getaway are multiple, as against say, Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Knock or Belfast. So decisions must be made first about the exit point from Ireland and as importantly, the entrance point and the subsequent road journey back to the starting point. This is important as an away event for a team, while it is meant to refresh and recharge it can sometimes let guys wrecked after burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. Therefore, facing a long car journey back home for a team may not be the smartest trick in the book.

It is also important to note that teams travelling for a getaway break like to get a football match included in the itinerary. For that reason we will stick with the three best destinations in the UK. Flight access is good from all locations and distances home should not be a major concern.

London

Top of the list has got to be London. How many teams or team builders would turn down the opportunity of visiting one of the most iconic capitals in Europe? Secondly, there are about six premier league teams with their home grounds in London. Add in the London based championship teams and the menu for football entertainment gets huge, enough to satisfy ninety nine per cent of the group.  The range of diverse activities, sightseeing tours, museums, art galleries, hop on hop off city tours, trips down the Thames, restaurants, bars, night life is on a massive scale. Planning is important before departing so that the team is kept together.

Make a team list and get input from all team members. Spread the planning among the group of players. This will help with team building. First on the list, and this applies to all three destinations is the booking of flights.

Manchester

Second is booking and confirming accommodation. Making sure that all team members are committed by paying up front is critical, as cancelations at the last minute can have a major impact on finances and group tensions and group morale. Decide on the game that people would prefer to see and go through the proper channels to secure the tickets. These are indicators for all three destinations.

The second destination is probably Manchester as a huge amount of Irish support the reds. Liverpool could fall into this geographical area with two teams, Liverpool and Everton, both playing premier league football. Both cities are in the North West and are in close proximity to each other. This is an ideal location for a team break. With so many football enthusiasts in the area, it would only take a bit of planning to get a competitive friendly match against a local team before going on to the stadium.

Glasgow

The third option is Glasgow, home of Celtic. Celtic have magnificent stadium in a           vibrant city bursting with lots of attractions, hotels and restaurants. So you can be sure that any Irish team or group of players planning a weekend break would snap your hand off for this one.

Group planning, team bonding, team hotel booking, Team event in that order.

The post The top three locations for a team getaway in Europe appeared first on BigPotatoes.

The top destinations for a team get away in Ireland

Ireland is blessed to have so many options when it comes to sporting activities, team building events, team day out locations and cultural enhancing organizations at everyone’s disposal in a relatively small Island.

Our forty shades of green land on the west of Europe has gone from zero to 95 mph in record time. Facilities are modern and state of the art, event locations are properly managed and the range and diversity of events is varied and wide.

The modern office team and team builders are prepared to pay good money for service with quality. Team building, team bonding and getting employees out of the office environment for an exciting bonding, relaxing and stimulating  events all works well with team builders and also for football teams and sports people looking for an exciting well structured break.

Team getaways are so good not just for the moral of the team but for bonding, and mental well-being.

Number one on our list of top destinations for team breaks is Cork City and the surrounds.

Cork

Cork is Ireland’s third largest city and as Cork people would say, the real capital, boy. Like all the major cities in Ireland it is on the coast so a diverse range of activities in both marine and land based activities is available for teams organising a getaway. Cork is easily accessible by road from all major centers, has an international airport and a major rail network hub.

For the marine enthusiast, a choice of sailing, sea fishing, water skiing or just messing about on the river is on the Cork menu. For groups more interested in land based team building activities the range is wide. Sports groups love a challenge, so why not go Karting and get the adrenaline rush. Groups might like indoor bowling or even hop on hop off tours. A visit to the English market is a must for first time visitors to Cork. Cork has a fine range of quality hotel and a large amount of B&B’s. The city center is bursting with a diverse collection of amazing restaurants, bars and music establishments. So it’s just right for a team’s break away or team building.

Belfast

Belfast is another great City for a break visit. As we have pointed out before, teams, whether taking a break or team building like to get involved in activities. Belfast has some fantastic locations where teams can hone their footballing skills, be it rugby, soccer or Gaelic. Visit any of the sports recreation grounds and enjoy a 5 a side game of football, archery, ten pin bowling or paintballing. A walk with your team around Belfast city centre is a must as it a visit to the Titanic centre. Belfast is easily accessible from all major towns and cities in Ireland and is also served by an international airport.

Athlone

Athlone can be put third on this particular team break away list. It is bang in the middle of Ireland and situated on the banks of the river Shannon. Bursting with beautiful buildings, pubs and gastro outlets the team will find plenty on offer in this beautiful town. There are the standard events that teams on a break like to do like playing golf, horse riding swimming or bike riding but the main attraction has to be the boat trip up the Shannon or white water rafting.

Waterford

Let’s not forget Waterford in the sunny south east as a team break destination. Marvelous state of the art sports facilities, hotels, restaurants and the wonderful green way walk or cycle track out to Dungarvan.

So, which of the The top destinations for a team get away in Ireland will you choose?

The post The top destinations for a team get away in Ireland appeared first on BigPotatoes.

A day out in Galway for your team:

We spoke in an earlier piece about Ireland having four sides. Galway is on the rugged raw western seaboard and a superb location for team building events. Here’s just a few reason why you should have a day out in Galway for your team.

Nothing will rock your team day out like an excursion to Galway.

It is important before you start, that your team understands a little about Galway.

It has a rich history that will excite ninety nine percent of any team especially a group that’s embarking on either team building, a team event or just a team day out.

Galway, known as the City of the Tribes is the western capital of Connemara. The tribes consisted of fourteen families. They dominated the commercial, business and social events from the mid thirteenth century till the end of the nineteenth century.  Galway is now on the route of the wild Atlantic way.

There are some wonderful options for your team as you fix on the team building and team events available in Galway.

If your team wants a refreshing brisk walk with marvelous sea views and bracing air. Then take your team for a saunter along the promenade in Salthill. Rolling crashing Atlantic waves venting their might against the shore will stimulate all members of the team. It will also give your team an opportunity to chat and inter act with each other while they soak up the bracing outdoor air.

If the team’s preference is team bonding and team building by engaging in something more robust, then here are a few options. First on the list is a venue called Pure Skill. This will challenge all members of the team as it gives team members a chance to exercise their skill set at a variety of different sports.

Team Building Activities

This is an indoor facility, divided by nets. Skill tests for your team members include soccer scoring and hurling skills. These will test any non national team member who has never picked up a Hurley before in their life. The rest of the team will get a great kick at watching a total novice try to strike a sliothar between Gaelic goal posts. Team members can also enjoy striking a cricked ball travelling at about fifty five miles per hour. All activities are supervised and so that team members are not in any danger.

The second option is ten pin bowling. This is a favourite team event. Teams can be selected and compete against each other while accumulating points. Each team should have a balance of strong and novice team members. So that the team competition is fair and balanced. Ten pin bowling in Galway is close to the city centre.

A third option is footgolf. Yes, it is what it says on the tin. Instead of using golf clubs and small balls, players use soccer balls and their feet. It’s great fun and will make a great change for a team day out. As in all sports, members on a team day out are divided into teams and the teams compete against each other as in real golf.

A fourth option and always a winner on a team day out is Go Karting. Galway has a fantastic track where all team members can show off their driving skills as they whizz around the track.

Another unique team event is the great escape rooms. Your group can be divided up into teams. They are locked in one of three specially designed rooms and the object is for the team to use a series of puzzles to work out how to escape.

Another great team event is the Hawk Walk in Ashford castle.

For a team day out in Galway for your team team building, is as close to the top as you could find.

The post A day out in Galway for your team appeared first on BigPotatoes.