DartsWorld have always had a soft spot for County / Regional darts, covering it’s very creation in 1972/3, and we have continued to cover the modern incarnation under the UKDA. In this regard DW happened to spot a recent communication that suggested some form of partnership or joint venture with the Amateur Darts Circuit might be in the offing. Rather than indulge in online scuttlebutt we opted to speak to UKDA director Colin Savage:
We have seen a public communication that the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) might be interested in joining forces with the UKDA to form some sort of new venture, is that right?
The ADC has reached out to us at the UKDA for a conversation about how we can work together to grow the game of darts in the UK. Both of us offer unique and complementary areas where more players can get greater playing opportunities out of a combined system.
Can County / Team darts survive in the modern amateur game?
For anyone who knows sport, everyone understands the badge of honour that county sport brings and the pathway within whatever sport that is, as a really high-level achievement. County status still brings that level to darts, which we all love and with the right partnerships can continue to thrive.
How will this benefit the teams / organisations?
With the ADC’s current playing network and partnerships, there will be more opportunities for the County teams, and County players to strive towards playing live on TV competing in the top events and large venues, so any time players can be in an environment where there’s
more opportunity, irrespective of where they play, will only benefit all players.
What might it add to the playing experience?
Playing experiences get better when people are comfortable where they are playing, have something to aim toward, and are pushed to the next level. The playing experience is about always knowing there could be something next, or being comfortable where you are. That means the experience is about achieving what you can, whether that is enjoyment, development, skill, or learning to deal with pressure. That combines to improve the playing experience for everyone involved.
All of these things offer an improvement in playing experience, even if you do not step forward into County Darts but you are in a system that is involved in it.
Has any type of formal offer been made and do you know where things currently lie?
The only offer made is that the counties potentially choose to work with the ADC to make the whole system better, as there is no point if both parties cannot work together.
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Such mergers or relationships always have doom mongers. Often they suggest things are being done just for money or profit and that it takes away from the game. What might you say to such comments?
For an amateur sport that aims to create structural pathways, some form of professional involvement is needed to run that amateur side of the game. If the game is run by professionals to add the most value to amateurs, it is very hard for anyone to counter that as a good reason for professional people not to be involved.
Structure is the single most important thing for every sport. That is a job for full-time people, whether professional or passionate volunteers. If you cannot dedicate the absolute time and commitment to that, then it is hard to develop the entire sport in the way it should be growing.
So what’s in it for the County?
Any time a network grows, everyone within that network benefits. The ADC and the UKDA will both benefit from being part of a larger network.
Some might also say County darts is over, players now go from bedroom, to academy and then straight into the individual development systems. Many of the benefits of such a system have died out perhaps it should all be left to quietly fade away?
Again, referring back to an earlier answer from outside any sport, it doesn’t matter what that sport is. Everyone understands what a county-level player is within that sport. That badge of honour will always exist as a status, irrelevant of what’s currently going on in that sport right
now.
To say “county darts is over” is not true. It may not be as high status or as highly chosen as it once was, but there are so many factors as to why that is. We believe it is far from over and still can be one of the highest accolades a player can strive for.
When will we hear about progress and what happens next?
The ADC and UKDA have a joint working team that will share feedback and agree on the next steps and timelines. As the county’s voice is heard, the working team will decide on the next steps, and this will be a very open discussion.
Do you have a message for the average County player or volunteer who has a very strong attachment to their County side and the traditions it represents?
The ADC is run by people with huge experience, interest, and engagement in County Darts. Many of them have played County Darts and had some of their best moments in that environment. The ADC recognises what it means to be a County player and the traditions that come with that and our aim is to see County darts held in the highest esteem.
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Images: UKDA
Interview carried out by DartsWorld with Colin Savage, UKDA Director.
