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Hundreds of people gathered in Pukekohe this month to compete in this year’s North Island Darts Tournament.
It was held between March 3 and 7, hosted by the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club.
President of the Darts Section of the club, Brett Dennis, told the Franklin Times there were 46 clubs represented across the event.
“It brings so many people into the region,” he said.
“They come from everywhere – It’s a huge amount of people – they come from the North Shore, Howick, Ashhurst and Wellington. We also have lots of locals competing.
“Some come for the week; others just on the day they are playing.”
Waiuku local Michelle Tapara has been playing darts for six years for the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club’s Darts Section and competing in the nationals for the past four years.
Accessorised in a colourful dart-adorned cap, she was easy to spot amongst the 600-strong crowd as the ladies’ pairs took to the floor to compete.
Across the room, Josh Roberts and Mark Cleaver represented the River City Darts, based out of the Waikato Commerce Club.
Roberts, a truck driver, has been playing the sport for 20 years, while Cleaver, a plasterer by trade, has been playing for 46 years.
They met playing darts and have gone on to claim national titles in men’s pairs competitions.
“We have done quite well in the pairs events, to be honest,” Roberts said.
“It’s a great honour to play with a good mate, but it’s not easy, it’s not a walk in the park,” Cleaver said.
Ladies’ and men’s pairs won $400 each in the competition, and singles won $1000. Youth singles across both genders won $250, and junior singles (under 16) won $50 each.
