The search is on to find the top pub darts player in the UK with the launch of the ‘Worthington’s 2015 Darts Champion of Champions’ contest offering a prize fund of £17,500.
Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural contest in Wales, organisers Red Dragon Darts, the Bridgend-based darts specialists and Ebbw Vale-based Coinspinner have recruited Molson Coors as joint sponsor and boosted the prize fund by £5,000.
This year’s contest will see a play off between 256 champions at the prestigious St. David’s Hall, Cardiff in front of 1,600 darts fans.
The 2015 event has doubled in size with 236 venues across the whole of South Wales and an additional 20 events taking place across the UK, giving the contest a truly national flavour.
Capturing the passion for local darts, the ‘Champion of Champions’ contest enables true local champions to battle it out in professional conditions with free entry to all players and the opportunity to win serious prizemoney.
Simon Hall, Red Dragon’s head of marketing, said: “We were blown away by the support from the players that took part last year. Not only did thousands play, but hundreds turned up for what was an amazing finals day.
“This year’s growth in venues and prizemoney is nothing short of breathtaking and has been made possible by extra support from our superb partners Molson Coors and Coinspinner.”
The 256 venues for the event have been handpicked as the finest darts venues across the region. Each event is open to all male or female darts players and they can take part in as many events as they like.
Martin Anderson, South West director for Molson Coors, said “Last year’s event flashed up on our radar with amazing feedback. It was great to see companies supporting local level darts with a significant investment and we are proud to help make the event this year even bigger with our backing and resources.”
Lee Hammond, commercial director of Coinspinner, the Wales-based international company that specialises in supplying pay-to-play entertainment equipment to pubs and members clubs, said:
“We are increasing our customer base and presence across Wales and the borders and an important part of the company’s ethos is reinvesting in the communities that we serve to support pubs, sporting clubs and the leisure industry. Following last year’s success, we’re looking forward to an even bigger event this year.”
The ‘Champion of Champions’ kicks off with Crumlin RFC and The Dodgers Newport both holding events in early May. Full event information can be found at: www.redragondarts.com/champions
The simple best of three legs format – the same as the former ‘News of The World’ competition – saw thousands of darts players across South Wales take part last year. The champion wasNewtown’s Steve Degeville who beat Professional Darts Corporation player Kevin Thomas, of Swansea, nicknamed The Undertaker, in an exciting final at The Hi-Tide, Porthcawl.
“The three leg, 501 shoot out format is loved by pub players and hated by professionals,” added Simon, “because great players will be eliminated by unfancied opponents before they even have a chance to warm up.”
