The results of the Silver Cup Youth Challenge for the Central Alberta Youth Dart League on May 3 and 4 is sending four competitors to Winnipeg, Manitoba to compete in the Youth National Championships on May 15 to 18.
Matthew McIsaac and Ricky Boyce of Ponoka along with Robyn Chubbs and Alysha Woodford of Red Deer will be flying to Winnipeg for their chance to place in the tournament.
McIsaac has been to nationals before but is still excited to compete again and is especially anticipating seeing people again that he had met in previous tournaments.
“I’m really looking forward to going this year and hopefully this year I will do better than I have before,” said McIsaac. “It’s exciting all around and I’m really looking forward to renewing my friendships.”
This will be Boyce’s first time stepping out of western Canada and he is devising to make a statement.
“I love the competition and playing with friends,” said Boyce. “I’m really excited to see the eastern part of Canada. I plan on boarding that plane to Winnipeg wearing a Hawaiian t-shirt, shorts, sandals and sunglasses and pretend that Winnipeg is the warmest place in Canada.”
Chubbs is also looking forward to traveling to Winnipeg for the tournament and believes that the fun of the game outweighs the stress that comes with competing.
“I’m really pumped,” said Chubbs. “It’s a lot of pressure but it’s a really good time. It does matter how you do but you have fun whether you do well or not.”
Being a part of the team is important for Woodford and she is eager to be involved in the upcoming tournament.
“I’m really excited that I’m on the team and that I have the opportunity to go,” said Woodford. “I just want to go and have fun.”
This is the only youth ranked tournament in Canada and Bill Hatter president of the National Darts Federation of Canada and Darts Alberta believes that having darts as a youth sport is important in their everyday lives as well as the sport itself.
“The youth component is the future of all sports,” said Hatter. “Having youth involved with darts is very positive. It promotes sportsmanship, friendly competition and there’s even math involved with the scoring.”
Donna Monks, one of the coaches, is happy with the competitors and commends their dedication and passion for darts.
“They did a lot of work and always strive to be better,” said Monks. “They really have a strong desire for the game. It’s wonderful that a town as small as Ponoka can bring out these skilled youth.”