IT’s That time of year again. The biggest names in darts jockey for position as they start the launch seasons for their new products and as they seek to bolster their playing staff:
Former World Youth Championship winner Keegan Brown has signed for Red Dragon and was straight into action in the 2023 World Series of Darts Finals on Friday night in Amsterdam.
There has seemed a quiet but concerted effort, from some big name manufacturers, in recent months, to complete their playing staff for the short to medium future.
With the biggest names seemingly tied to their main sponsors for at least a year or two it has been the second and third tier of players that are being signed, re-signed or extended. Keegan Brown certainly fits the bill for Red Dragon.
Former World Youth Championship winner Keegan Brown has signed for Red Dragon and was straight into action in the 2023 World Series of Darts Finals on Friday night in Amsterdam.
There has seemed a quiet but concerted effort, from some big name manufacturers, in recent months, to complete their playing staff for the short to medium future.
With the biggest names appearing tied to their main sponsors for at least a year or two it has been the second and third tier of players that are being signed, re-signed or extended. Keegan Brown certainly fits the bill for Red Dragon.
Keegan, now 30, is also part of an illustrious group to have won the PDC World Youth Championship at some point in their careers, the club includes: includes Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, Dimitri van den Bergh and Josh Rock. Red Dragon have already benefited from retaining one of this club.
New Zealand international Darren Herewini has extended his Winmau deal by 3 years, after enjoying a strong year on the New Zealand Darts Circuit. The New Zealand international has enjoyed a successful career having claimed 11 tournament wins, including the WDF World Cup Singles Title in 2019 .
Winmau Marketing Director Simon Hall spoke on Darren’s new deal saying: “I am pleased Darren will continue his journey with us, after what has been a strong year for him back home. The sport continues to spread to a wider audience in New Zealand, and Darren is a strong reason for that.”
Apocalypse returned to the WDF World Cup this week in Denmark, part of the New Zealand team that also featured Ben Robb, Haupai Puha and Brian Corbett.
The pipeline from Winmau/JDC feeder project, Team360,once again leads to a player stepping up to a Winmau contract. Connor Hopkins has now signed a new evolution deal becoming the latest member of the Winmau team. The Welshman also uses online training software from our ‘Practice Partners’ GoDartsPro.
“I am delighted to sign an evolution deal with Winmau, they have supported me all through my career and I look forward to the future with their continued backing.”
Connor will appear on the MODUS Super Series later in the year, having claimed success in the Winmau Open Series by the Amateur Darts Circuit, winning Event 14 in Bristol after whitewashing Kieran Harris 6-0 in the Final back in August.
With the departure of Chris Dobey from Unicorn and the low key activity, in terms of playing staff, from that quarter it will be interesting to see what happens with their star names over the next few years?
Target finally seem to have switched focus from their post revamp efforts to attract the biggest legends in the game disregarding the years on the clock. Dobby seems to be indicative of the Aspinall and Van Den Bergh type of signings as they seem to be trying to dominate the middle generation of the three clearly defined groups available.
Michael Smith’s move to Shot indicates that the New Zealand brand will expand both their general brand presence but also their sales and distribution network across Europe and UK in the coming months and years.
Finally congratulations to Harrows darts. The venerable UK brand celebrated 50 years in the business this week and from one bullseye hitter to another we tilt our hat to them. We should also note the success of their stripped down but well supported team of players. With Luke Woodhouse finally reaching his potential Harrows are batting 3 for 3 and gaining maximum value for their efforts.
More brands will have joined target and harrows by launching new products in the next few weeks. Darts World’s The Boardroom will take a fuller look, and see who has made their mark, in our later Autumn editions.
—–ENDS—–
Originally published in Darts World Extra 12
Grab a 50th Anniversary Darts World package 581 here or the most recent print Issue 583 here :
The Darts World 50 limited edition dart set is available to order (Here) in your choice of pack/bundle.
Also Available Free: Darts World Extra 11 – Summer Special
Darts World Magazine‘s fantastic value bundles:
Subscribe or purchase your copy
