Clutha is leading the way in the resurgence of darts as a social game and competitive sport.
Last Wednesday Tokomairaro High School PE teacher Kylie Johnston’s newly formed darts squad travelled from Milton to team with the Balclutha Darts Society for a friendly evening of competition at the Balclutha Town & Country Club.
"I want to see young people excited about any sport," Mrs Johnston said.
"Darts combines an excellent skill set into an incredibly inclusive package."
Founded "about three moths ago when the ban on mobile phones in school started", her high school darts club includes 18 male and female students from all years.
"We’re on our feet and off our screens, concentrating body and minds into a flow state which is as good for mental wellbeing as friendly competition and engaging in a social environment.
"There’s sportsmanship and rivalry and mental arithmetic to improve your maths skills."
The Toko squad received immediate support after its formation.
This included receiving equipment from by Dunedin youth darts organiser Stan Westwood.Balclutha’s South Otago Darts Association also reached out, and association president Barry Gooch said he was very pleased to join the Milton squad as they practised their points.
"Darts was huge in Clutha, especially Milton, but just seemed to die out in the 1990s," he said.
"It’s great to see the growing resurgence again, and the way the young guys are picking up the etiquette and mentoring of the older veterans is really inspiring.
"For such minimum outlay you can go a long way with darts.
"There’s a top-level international tournament coming up in Hamilton with some very impressive young players representing New Zealand.
"I suppose behind it all is ... exploring that mystery between throwing average darts and throwing amazing darts.
The South Otago Darts Association hosts club nights at 7pm on Mondays at Balclutha RSA, and meets the Toko High Darts Squad at Balclutha Town & Country on the first Wednesday of each month.
With the support of darts associations in Dunedin and throughout Otago, both groups aim to encourage other schools to form clubs and take part in inter-school competitions.
