A new darts tournament for Dunedin secondary school pupils, started by accident, seems to have hit the mark, attracting several former and present New Zealand darts champions.
The inaugural Dunedin interschool darts championship was held at Otago Boys' High School yesterday, with 12 darts players from Queen's High School, King's High School and Otago Boys' High School competing.
Event organiser and Otago Boys' head of chemistry Tim Ashdown said the competition was of a high standard, with competitors such as OBHS pupil Dan Smart (17), who is the New Zealand under-18 darts champion, and Queen's High School sisters Ripeka (18) and Svania (17) Te Moananui, who are former New Zealand darts youth champions.
While delighted at the success of the event, he was a little surprised at pupils' responses to it.
''I started it by accident. I put a dart board up in my classroom on a wet day about three years ago so the boys could play at lunchtime.
''And before I knew it, it got so popular I had to put up another five boards.
''Once they start playing, they get hooked - it's very addictive.
''The boys are here every lunchtime.''
Because of the increasing popularity of the sport and the increasing competitiveness of the pupils, Mr Ashdown decided to establish an interschool tournament.
''We're just trying to grow the sport,'' he said.
''In the United Kingdom, more people watch darts on TV than rugby.''
Mr Ashdown said the tournament had been so successful, it was certain to become an annual event.
Results. - Junior champion: James Whelan (OBHS); senior champion: Daniel Smart (OBHS); most improved player: Shannay Nicholls (Queen's); overall team winner: OBHS.
