|
So
you want to be a Dart Star?
SO YOU WANT TO BE A DARTS STAR?
I’ve often
been contacted by darts players who think that they have what it takes to become
top class darters, who reckon they can mix it with the best, or at least want to
give it a try, and who have dreams of playing for their county and country, who
believe they have the skills and drive to become a professional darts player and
who believe in their heart of hearts that they can become the next Phil Taylor,
the next Trina Gulliver, a future men’s or ladies World Champion.
Why ask me?
I’m only an average, inconsistent pub darter so what do I know?
The reason
people ask me is because they know I’m here to help and that I will always try
my best to assist those wanting to make it to the top in the great sport of
darts.
Here, for the
benefit of all aspiring darts stars, are the results of my own research…
In late 2005,
following a number of enquiries about how to progress in darts, I sought advice
from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and received the following reply:
The best thing
that [a player] can do on the PDC side is to contact David Pomfret on 02476
414999 and he will send them a pack on Professional Dart Players’ Association (PDPA)
membership. This is not inexpensive so the player must be realistic about their
ability to compete with the best. If and when they join the PDPA they will be
kept abreast of all things PDC through the "Bulletin” and the PDPA's own
mailings. They will also be able to compete in all play offs for PDC televised
events.
No doubt they
will have had some insight back from the BDO. Their system is more structured
and over a longer period whilst the PDC way is to fast track the top players
because it is aiming at TV excellence.
The best way
is probably something of each although I obviously think the PDC way is best
providing the player has the necessary ability.’
And from
another PDC source:
‘Anybody can
enter the Budweiser UK Open Regional Finals and events which are ranked Category
One and Two on the circuit. UK Open Regional Finals are administered by the PDC
and people can enter on 02476 693335 and full information of how to enter each
individual event are found on Planet Darts.: http://www.planetdarts.tv
Players must
be a member of the Professional Dart Players Association (PDPA) to enter the
eight PDPA Players Championship events and the qualifiers for the Ladbrokes.com
World Championship, Stan James World Matchplay and Sky Bet World Grand Prix.
To enter the
PDPA, they should either visit www.pdpa.co.uk or call 02476 414999 ext 211 for
an application form.’
For those
interested in playing for their County, I do hold a list of contacts for the
British Darts Organisation (BDO) Inter Counties – too lengthy to include here –
so if you are interested, just drop me a line via my Contacts page, let me know
the County you play in and I’ll send you the current contact name.
Allied to the
BDO is the International Darts Players Association (IDPA) which is managed by,
amongst others, the well-known Master of Ceremonies, Martin Fitzmaurice. For
those who wish to learn more about or join the IDPA they should contact the
Association at:
IDPA,
33 Onslow
Crescent,
Birchglen,
Colchester,
Essex
CO2.8UN
E-Mail:
idpa@pricetorbett.freeserve.co.uk
All
up-and-coming darters will need to be aware of what’s going on in the game today
and where the best competitions are being held. You’ll find all the information
you need in DARTS WORLD magazine, the only magazine in the UK dedicated entirely
to the sport.
The magazine
includes an ‘At-a-glance’ tournaments feature and adverts for other main
competitions. The cost of a subscription for 12 issues plus the annual magazine
Darts Player is currently (October 2007) £37.75 including post and packing. The
same phone number applies. You can also subscribe online at
www.dartsworld.com
Contact
details are as follows:
Tony Wood,
Editor,
Darts World,
81 Selwood
Road,
CROYDON,
CR0 7JW
Tel: 0208 650
6580
© Patrick Chaplin 2007
| 
