It is fast approaching my favourite
time of the year to be a darts fanatic. Kicking off with the Grand Slam
followed by a few terrestrial television tournaments, there’s then the ultimate
highlight of three weeks of World Championships from both codes - darting
heaven.
The conclusion of this darting
gluttony for me is me hammering the F5 button on the PDC Website sitting at my
desk in the week following all the World Championship pageantry. Firstly to
check who has entered Q-School, then just a few days later, following the
actual Q School event unfolding.
On one level, I enjoy cheering on
the recent BDO switched players and former old favourites as they try and forge
their way into the PDC. But on another, it is all the more satisfying to cheer
on the local players to me, and the ones I’ve actually encountered at local
leagues and competitions. Having played a few Opens and seasons within the
Individual Darts League (www.theidl.co.uk)
it is incredible to see the talent that there is at this level. To possibly see
a few of them potentially shatter the glass ceiling and mix it with the best to
the next level is surely only an exciting prospect and indeed spectacle.
Everyone loves an underdog and I’m no exception. That’s what Q School
essentially offers – a chance to win a tour card and mix it with the world’s
top tier players. Or alternatively a slot on the highly competitive development tour, the next
tier down from professionals, all of whom are chomping at the bit to make it to
the next level.
The sheer
cost of trying to make it however, is astronomical to say the least. The fee to
enter Q School which is four days of darts is £250. No small sum then. So fair
play to Riley’s Sports Bars, specifically the Victoria branch in this instance, who
have put up said entry fee as a prize to the winner of their next Open. To have
your entry fee paid for for Q-School is a lucrative one indeed.
And so its
for this reason I’ll be heading to
Rileys Victoria tomorrow evening specifically to watch (Rather than play...no-one
wants to see that!), do some live tweeting, app scoring and hopefully interview the winner for this blog. I personally cannot wait.
