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At Dandelions, we hold regular social events to help our employees bond.
In early March, we visited Round One Chikusa and held a bowling tournament!
In the past, our recreational activities have included eating Burmese food and holding tournaments to determine the “Weakest Player” at Go Fish, but this bowling tournament was organized in response to requests for “something that gets everyone moving and having fun together.”
Seventeen people participated. Despite it being a day off, employees gathered one after another, and the event was filled with such energy that it was hard to believe it was the first time we’d held it.
Let’s hit the course!
This tournament is not a team competition but a “purely individual contest.” The rules stipulate that the top two finishers in both the men’s and women’s divisions will be honored and receive prizes. Even before the event began, voices full of enthusiasm could be heard all around, with comments like, “If there are prizes, I’ve got to give it my all,” and “It’s been a while, so I’m itching to compete.”
After the opening remarks, it was time to start with some practice throws!
Some people, bowling for the first time in a while, smiled wryly and said, “The ball feels heavy…” while others surprised everyone by immediately rolling a strike. Since many of the members usually do desk work, there were several moments when we got a glimpse of their unexpectedly good athletic ability.
Once the competition got underway, cheers and applause rang out continuously from every lane. High-fives flew every time a strike was rolled, and even when a ball went into the gutter, everyone laughed it off with a “Don’t worry!”—a warm, friendly atmosphere filled the entire venue.
Even though it’s an individual competition, the fact that people naturally cheer each other on is one of the great things about bowling. ^^
As the game progressed, the “hidden stars” of the event began to shine one after another.
There were a series of moments that made us gasp in surprise—like the usually quiet Fuku hitting consecutive strikes and getting the crowd cheering, or newcomer Ryu pulling off a brilliant spare under pressure, earning loud applause from everyone around. Seeing a different side of our colleagues than we usually do at work is one of the unique joys of a company event.
And once all the games were over, it was finally time for the awards ceremony.
The first- and second-place winners in both the men’s and women’s divisions were announced, and a huge round of applause erupted the moment their names were called. The winners were presented with Starbucks gift cards, and everyone who received one beamed with joy.
Even those who narrowly missed the podium offered positive comments like, “Next time for sure,” and “I’ll practice and come back stronger,” making this a hugely successful event despite being the first of its kind.
Let’s head to the social gathering!
After the tournament, we held a casual get-together for those who were interested.
As we looked back on memorable moments from the game—commenting on things like, “That strike was a miracle,” or “It’s so frustrating to have hit the gutter there”—we enjoyed a time filled with nonstop laughter. Even among members who usually have different job roles and rarely get a chance to talk, conversation flowed naturally, and it felt like the distance between us within the company had closed significantly.
Summary
Although this was our first bowling tournament, it was a huge success.
Bowling is a sport that everyone can enjoy together, whether they’re athletic or not, making it the perfect activity for fostering camaraderie among colleagues! Many participants have already said they’d like to do it again.
We hope to continue using events like this to strengthen the bonds among our employees and create a more comfortable and enjoyable workplace.
Stay tuned for our next blog post!
