The Academy celebrated a hugely successful second year with a glittering celebration and presentation night recently at the Entertainer.
Over 70 youngsters have passed through the Academy this year and they were out in force to delight a packed venue who was there to witness tomorrow’s stars collecting awards for 44 categories.
On hand to present nearly a thousand pounds worth of trophies were Dave Kane of Testway 7’s, Hampshire’s Kevin Ede currently ranked 25 in Britain, President Colin Monk and Edward Lowy, owner and Managing Director of Unicorn Products.
Each guest has given magnificent support in their own special way this year and in turn eloquently praised and pledged their support.
Much of the success has been made possible by sponsorship and grants with over eight thousand pounds being raised this year, a thousand of which was raised by a darts marathon.
The Juniors have been a delight and have worked very hard this year - numbers have reached 30 with an equal mix of boys and girls.
The Seniors have been stretched and tested as shown by the array of awards. Apart from the usual Singles & Pairs there have been Mixed Pairs, Darts-athlon (including shanghai, golf, bulls etc), a 201 outshot clinic, a 29’s competition, a dynamic dart league from which a handicap system has been developed plus team matches.
Collectively, 5 young ladies are now playing senior ladies darts and super league and of the young men 18 are playing in men’s leagues, 4 in the Hampshire super league, 2 are county youth team players and one is an England Youth International.
Individually, Charlotte Burgess won the Essex youth singles and retained her Andover Open title. Dale Headech was runner up in the National Railway Club Singles, Sean White was runner up in the Essex Youth Singles but won the Andover Youth Open and Arron Monk amongst others won the Isle of Wight Youth event and represented England Youth.
The highlight of the ceremony is always the Unicorn generation 180 award. This year was so close between the four nominees, Charlotte Burgess, Dale Headech, Arron Monk and Sean White with the latter becoming the latest member of Team Unicorn which includes the likes of Phil Taylor, John Part, Bob Anderson and John Lowe.
Finally, Lenita March and Mark Thorne were presented with silver salvers in recognition of their outstanding work during the year and the Academy was delighted to invite Edward Lowy to become a Vice President.
With the formalities concluded the evening closed with the Christmas draw and an entertaining karaoke.
This year’s activities came to a finale on Saturday 22nd December with a trip to the Alexandra Palace and a session at the Ladbrokes.com World Championships. The day included a behind the scenes tour with Rod Harrington
Our picture shows, left to right, Unicorn Managing Director Edward Lowy, with Ladies Captain Charlotte Burgess, Junior Captain Molly Dawkins, Mens Captain Steve Turner and Colin Monk, President.