Carrickfergus darts players compete on the world stage

Head coach, Gregg Fowles led a small team to Gibraltar to take part in the inaugural JDC Virtual World Amateur Darts Championships.

"Although the Covid situation meant that the numbers were not as everyone had hoped, the organisation in charge put on an incredible event," Gregg said.

"Over 20 nations took part with around 200 players trying to take home the top prizes. With five days of competition, everyone got a chance to be on the world stage.

"As a group we got into the knockout stage as part of the teams event. Our team consisted of players from the Carrickfergus Junior Darts Academy and a lovely player from Luxembourg. We also got to try out a new format to us, especially in Northern Ireland - soft tip darts."

Thanking friends and family for their support, he added: "They helped us get there and also followed us every day of competition. The scoring systems used could be looked up and they could see how each player was doing.

"Also a massive thankyou to Brian at BVD Darts who supplied our shirts, and to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for their support."

The only Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) academy in Northern Ireland, the club was founded in January last year."The JDC have academies all over the world. They give kids from age 6/7 to 18 a safe and appropriate means to play darts, learn new skills, make new friends, increase confidence and help numeracy skills," Gregg said.