There’s a fresh buzz in the southern hemisphere as the Australian Darts Association (ADA) officially steps up to the oche. And they’re not just here to make up the numbers – they’ve arrived with a plan, a PDC partnership, and more ambition than a pub league player after three pints.
Recently announced, the ADA has teamed up with the PDC to create genuine pathways for players from Australia and the wider Oceania region to step up to the big time. Their mission? Simple: build bridges between grassroots talent and the sport’s global stage. Fewer hurdles, more trebles.
The inaugural ADA Tour kicks off at the end of June at the Pine Rivers Darts & Sporting Club in Brisbane. There’s AU$20,000 on the line across four events packed into one high-stakes weekend. Each winner takes home AU$1,600 – not quite enough to retire on, but certainly enough to cover your darts tab and a cheeky celebratory steak. Prize money extends right down to the last 32, giving everyone something to shoot for beyond just pride. Action will be available to follow live via DartsConnect.
Two more weekends are on the calendar: one in Adelaide at the start of August, and the final showdown in Melbourne a month later, where the overall tour winner will be crowned. Along with bragging rights comes a golden ticket to the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace – a dream many have shared, but few have fulfilled.
But wait, there’s more. The ADA is also launching the PDC ANZ Premier League, set to hit eight arenas across Australia and New Zealand this October and November. The champion of that series also bags a spot at Ally Pally, so competition will be fierce. Leading the Premier League charge? None other than Simon The Wizard Whitlock, still casting spells despite losing his tour card last year.
With the World Cup on the horizon – and Damon Heta proudly flying the Aussie flag since landing on British shores – don’t be surprised to see plenty more antipodean arrow-smiths soon setting up camp and doing damage on the Pro Tour.
The future looks bright – and possibly sunburnt – for darts in Australia.
—–ENDS—–
Images: ADA
