As we come off the back of a fantastic summer our sport is looking in a really healthy place. No longer can the ‘big three’ of MVG, Michal Smith and Gerwyn Price be considered assured for the major titles.
Nathan Aspinsal’s World Matchplay win was a fabulous watch and the atmosphere was superb.
Away from the cameras the controversy surrounding the midweek Pro’s Tours is understandable but as a professional sport it can only be good for players long term.
With four streaming lanes and possibly more to come players are getting more exposure, thus earning power, earlier and the step up to Euro Tour or TV stages is once more smoothed out. The PDC have been threatening this mid week plan for a number of years and yet have made it clear that if it does not work it is not fixed in stone.
The pathway for players has never been so wide. As a former Lakeside World Champion the WDF circuit obviously served a purpose for me but I don’t see that players need to chase round the globe any longer. If you can qualify for their main events then so be it. But, if I am honest I would not chase their circuit, as an amateur, as there is a lot more out there now for players.
The WDF must keep their flagships where they are in the calendar and offer a reliable structure if they are to remain relevant. One excellent feature of Lakeside is its openness and chances for unheralded players, such as Neil Duff, to burst through. The venue has an almost mystical quality for some players and is still an intriguing event.
As a self employed dart player I can understand Beau Greaves decision to defend her WDF title. She is a massive favourite to retain her title and £25,000 in prize money is the biggest purse in dedicated women’s darts.
However, I think the PDC expecting those who play their system, and benefit from it, all year round to then attend the flagship event at Ally Pally is perfectly understandable. They have put a considerable amount, year on year, into the development of both youth and women’s tours and want the best results from it.
The battle between Beau , Fallon, Lisa and Mikuru has been developing over the last 18 months and could be the foundation of a hugely successful future for the women’s game.
The business end of the season is approaching with a chance to see a variety of players at the Grand Slam and then the lead up to the World Championships via Minehead . The depth now present means anyone of perhaps ten or twelve players can win.
Huge congratulations to Luke Humphries on breaking his major duck at the recent World Grand Prix. Determination, hard work and patience have paid off!
Speaking of the Grand Prix, during the event I did some filming for the latest products from my sponsors Winmau. Wispa it quietly but there is a real game changer product in this year’s range. Shhhh
—–ENDS—–
Mark Webster a former Lakeside World Champion, World Cup Singles and multiple PDC event winner. He is sponsored and supported by Winmau and Monarch Water. Webby’s World appears regularly in Darts World Magazine and Darts World Extra
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