What a summer for darts!
The speed at which darts has returned to almost full functionality in the UK has been breathtaking. From local Open events through MAD, EDO, WDO and WDF affiliated championships and the elite juggernaut that is the PDC, all have hit the ground running to ensure that darts, its players, fans – and the industry as a whole – has every chance of a full and satisfying return to normal.
The bittersweet nature of this summer has been lost on no one. The passing of Andy Fordham and Kyle Anderson reminds us to appreciate our sport’s great talents, and the immense contributions they made.
The launch of the UKDA National League has particular resonance for many and for Darts World. Our very first issue carried news of the meeting that effectively founded County darts. Since that day in 1972, this format of team-focused, intense, but enjoyable competition has been the bedrock of our sport.
September 18th saw the first weekend of the UKDA’s evolution and, judging from the reports and accounts within this issue, it appears to have been a great success. The next round of games is underway and we wish every player, official, venue and volunteer every enjoyment and success. From page 44 onward, Issue 576 brings you full results and selected match reports and other news. Check out dartsworld.com or dartsworld50.com (click on our Amateur tab) for more detail on these and other grassroots stories.
Sadly this year’s World Masters and Dutch Opens were again cancelled due to Covid complications. Darts’ governing body has begun to build up steam that the WDF will stage a successful World Championship in 2022 and that their other flagship ‘Majors’ will take place later that year.
The PDC has quickly re-established ‘full service’ darts. The Pro, European, Challenge and Development Tours have been restarted/completed and the Women’s Series is now fully up and running. The World Matchplay was welcomed by blazing Blackpool skies with Peter Wright’s golden victory seeming to flow straight into his (and Hendo’s) emotional capture of the World Cup of Darts for Scotland.
As all darts lovers enjoy the Grand Prix and anticipate the Grand Slam, Players Championships and an Ally Pally packed to the rafters, our game is thriving once more and it may not be an exaggeration to say we are on the brink of another darts boom!
——ENDS—–
Words: CJ Harris Hulme
Darts World Magazine (Issue 577) and 2022 bundle offers
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- Publisher/Managing Editor: CJ Harris Hulme.
- Chief News & Feature Writer: Paul Woodage.
- Photographers: Lawrence Lustig and Taylor Lanning.
- Archive Photography: Steve Daszko
- Designer: Ben Mortimer, Curtis Sport.
- Printed by: Curtis Sport.
- Produced by: Darts Group.
- Email: info@dartworld.com
