Part of growing older is the realisation that you are going to more funerals than christenings or weddings and so it is in Darts.
The pleasure in seeing so much talent and potential being nurtured within the Academy has been tempered of late with the news of the passing of darting stalwarts and legends.
Sometime ago now, Andover Invitation Darts decided to commemorate as many of the town’s top darters past or present, alive or not for the area has a proud tradition in the sport of darts. From Moses Wheeler, ex-News of the World Champion to England International and World-Master Colin Monk there has been many fine throwers in between.
Each month’s Classic Ranking competition at the Entertainer, not only offers up over £500 in prize money and classic ranking points to be won, but also the prestige of having your name on the trophy that honours one of Andover’s greats. In truth there could be a weekly competition, so long is the list of quality players that have graced our game, but the roll has been drawn up as follows.
Next month, October features the Johnny Woodman singles, November, Don Knowles and December, Dougie Donohue. We were eagerly looking forward to welcoming Dougie to his competition but his recent and sad passing now takes the memorials to seven. Next year’s diary dates are, January: Colin Monk, February: Sharron Bale Mixed-Pairs, March: Transplus Andover Darts Classic, April: Keith Goacher, May: Micky Collins, June: John Taylor Pairs, July: Moses Wheeler Darts-athlon, August: Johnny Woodman, September: Les Brant, October: Don Knowles, November: Dougie Donohue and December, yet to be announced.
We will be offering up this last place to the winner of a poll conducted up to Christmas with all darts enthusiasts being able to take part by contacting www.andoverdarts.org ,glen.dawkins@ntlworld.com or writing to the Andover Advertiser.
Last month’s competition was particularly pleasing as four Brants including septuagenarian Les took their places in a quality field that included players as far away as Northampton and Essex. Cheers Les, here’s to next year!
Each monthly competition is backed by a major Classic sponsor and in October we would like to thank John Murray of JB Motors and the West Portway MOT Centre for his support of Andover Darts.
As for Chunky and for those of you who can picture him with his huge frame, ruddy cheeks, blazer and flat cap tightly fixed on, will remember him for his consistency, sportsmanship and rock-like nerve; love of the game and of course his pint. It promises to another great afternoon with the sponsor himself taking part, a host of local talent and a dozen or so raiders aiming to take our money.
Competition date October 13th – closing date Wednesday 10th, limited to the first 64 entries cost £5.
As for the Academy, the youngsters had a week off last week for the committee and coaching staff meeting but returned this week in earnest for the final phase which will determine this year’s champions.
In both Juniors and Seniors there are singles, pairs, mixed pairs and triples to be played for whilst in the seniors there is the ‘dynamic dart award’ and of course the prestigious ‘Unicorn Generation 180’ honour to join Jamie Kelling in the greatest darting team on the planet.
Much of the meeting was spent on the subject of finance. During the past year over nine thousand pounds had been raised through grants,sponsorship, and fund-raising. Incredibly, with the membership set to break into the 70’s during the next month it will not be enough to realise the running costs and the ground breaking programme planned for 2008.
Much of the dilemma lays in eligibility and availability of grants and the amount of time spent on the application, negotiation and the ratification process. Still, blessed with a dedicated coaching and committee team of eighteen I’m sure we’ll get there in the end.
Through the difficult times, the thing that keeps you going is the enthusiasm and appetite shown by this special bunch of youngsters that cannot wait until Wednesday comes around again. The chances of producing a world champion is always a possibility and a nice thought, but if the majority only end up playing in local league division four, knowing how to chalk, their shots out and remembering their roots with fondness, we will have achieved our prime objective.