OH DEAR, oh dear! I thought I’d seen and read just about everything until last month’s “pantomime” ramblings from Pro Life.
It gave real meaning to the phrase “He’s behind you”, because it was a shocker to have it in front of you!To be honest, it was more like “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” than Darts World.
What must he have been on when he sat down to write this? I think the DRA needs to carry out its first drugs test!
Whatever the case, I have heard that someone high up (could be the PDC’s own “big cheese”) has been telling everyone that Pro Life is not one but TWO people.
OK. It seems improbable that it would take two people to write such drivel, but then you think about it, it could make sense. One sharpens the pencil and the other one writes the words! Tweedledee and Tweedledum?
Perhaps a two-faced “Pinocchio”! It could be any Tom, Dick or Alix!
THAT’S NOT THE WAY TO DO IT!
On to nicer things. The youngsters in our game, and the youngsters who are interested in our sport and what it can bring to them in an educational sense. Next time you are on the internet, take a look at this link. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but well worth a look.
www.teachers.tv/subjectBlockVideo.do?transmissionBlockId=210106&zoneId=18&transmissionProgrammeId=211841
It is a link to Teacher’s TV and features a project at Woodland Middle School devised by Philip New, Head of Year 6 at the school, and a geezer who bears absolutely no resemblance to the teachers I remember from my schooldays!
No doubt inspired by the hugely successful “Get On” campaign, which the BDO has been running in conjunction with the government since 2004, Philip New has got some great software (which you will see in this film link) that allows the kids in Year 6 to work out mathematical problems on the dartboard.It’s done through a “touch” screen dartboard that is not only different to anything that kids have experienced before, but also puts an enjoyable aspect to learning maths.
The kids can then be seen playing and learning on real dartboards, and later in the film, I am seen making a visit to the school to have some fun with the kids on the dartboards, and to also show them just how logically a dartboard works with numbers.
It was a visit that I really enjoyed, because the kids were enthusiastic about maths because they were having great fun using darts as a learning method.
Such initiatives have got to be great for our sport and its overall image and I am sure Philip New’s methods will encourage other teachers and other schools to introduce darts to the curriculum.
If it had been available when I was at school I reckon I would have become the first world champion in short trousers and a mathematical genius just for good measure!
THAT’S THE WAY TO TEACH IT!
Staying with the kids, me and Marie were truly privileged to go to Germany for the WDF Europe Youth Cup. We did so to support Richard and the England team, but we were greatly impressed by the organisation, standards of play by so many talented youngsters, and the outstanding hospitality and friendliness of our hosts.
Germany recently hosted the football World Cup and received worldwide praise for doing so. Having been there for the Europe Youth Cup I am not surprised.Nothing was too much trouble and we had a great time watching the kids and seeing the depth of talent that is out there at the moment — especially from the Dutch.
Mind you, the British players didn’t do so badly!
Our England Boys were runners-up to the talented Dutch youngsters in the Team event, and Ricky Evans got to the semi-finals of the Boy’s Singles which, as we all know, was won by the sensational Dutch youngster Michael van Gerwen, who is going to be a bit tasty at Lakeside next January.
The girls from Wales were truly outstanding. They won the overall Girl’s Team title with 13-year-old Kimberley Lewis winning the Girl’s Singles and Girl’s Pairs (with Kylie Murphy).
The unluckiest team was Scotland. They played some fantastic and exciting darts but lost all their tie-breaks to go out 8-9 to Holland — otherwise they would have been in the final! That’s how close they were.They ended up fourth overall, so there was lots to shout about (I did lots of that!) and from a British point of view the future does look bright as long as we continue to give the youngsters all the encouragement.
And while on the subject of encouragement, I must mention all the hard working officials who give so much time and energy with the youngsters.
A special mention must be given to BDO Director Vic Sexton who does such a great job with England Youth — and also Kent official Dave Quinney, who not only gives up so much of his time, but also lots of his dosh to help England Youth.
Enthusiastic volunteers like Vic and Dave are among the many unsung heroes in darts.It was also marvellous to see all the youngsters from so many European countries getting on so well together.
Forget all the rubbish that is written and spoken about darts — to be among so many young people and officials getting on so well through our sport was a great experience. The United Nations of darts!
THAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT!
I’m also delighted that my Richard will be the only British representative in the WDT Youth event in Utrecht this month — even though there has been criticism in some quarters saying that he’s only there because of me!What a complete load of rubbish!
Richard loves his county darts and topped the youth averages for Essex (he plays at senior level for Suffolk). What’s more, he won the Central Scotland Open a couple of months ago and has just made his England debut!The boy’s done good and I’m proud of him.
I won’t tell you what I think of those who make snide comments aimed more at me than him. We are supposed to be encouraging youth, not criticising 16-year-old boys for getting on in the world and doing our sport proud! Shame on the slaggers!
THAT’S NOT THE WAY TO SLAG IT!
Incidentally, the reason why youth players are being given a platform at both the IDL and WDT is to give them valuable experience of the big stage. It’s not so much a competition as a learning curve: playing in front of big, noisy crowds with TV cameras, lights and pressure.
The organisers should be applauded for showing and encouraging the future of our sport — not criticised for giving the kids so much encouragement.
SHAME ON THE SLAGGERS!
I suppose I will also be criticised for my new role as PR Consultant for the England Darts Organisation. What that actually means is that I will talk to the media on behalf of the EDO.
I am not a meetings man, but I do know that England needs more finance, more county involvement, more support and more “investment”.
If I can help the EDO achieve that for the good of our sport then I don’t mind being called a PR. People can tell me what they want.
They usually do, anyway, but doing something positive is better than slagging everyone off all the time!
THAT’S THE WAY TO PR IT!
Make a note in your diaries of December 28. That’s the official launch date of the hardback version of my book “Bobby Dazzler — The Story Of Bobby George”. It’s being published by Orion and the paperback will be available later next year. Can’t wait to read it!
Good to welcome John Exon of the old World Promotions (the firm that looked after Embassy) and his lovely wife, Roz, to George Hall for a bit of fishing. He’s a smashing and generous bloke, so when I caught him admiring the Jag, I said: “Here’s the keys, John. Go and take Roz for a spin.” Quick as a flash, Roz turned to John and said: “Quick, go and get the suitcases!”
THAT’S THE WAY TO JAG IT!
And on that happy note, I will say Hasta La Vista for yet another month, and here’s to another great season of BDO county darts.
May the best men, women, boys and girls win!
Photo captions (as they appear):• The England youth team with Vic Sexton at the WDF Europe Youth Cup.
LEFT: Yours truly with teenage sensation from Holland, Michael van Gerwen.
Images: Darts World Ltd or as labelled
