If you’re a young person wanting to learn a new sport, consider taking part
The Selkirk Legion (Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42) is a place of gathering for the whole community. The club welcomes everyone to gather for sports, entertainment and local events. One new way that they are making the space available is by hosting a free youth darts league, which many hawk-eyed young people have already started to take part in.
Record Photos By Brett Mitchell
“We got it up and running (last fall). We got the kids involved. I called all the schools and got pamphlets out there, (and) we have the Selkirk Youth Darts page on Facebook,” said Lisa Herron, President of the Adult Darts League at the Selkirk Legion.
Steve Renni, Youth Darts Coach, said that this Youth Darts League is completely free for youth between the ages of 10 to 17 to join, and they’ve consistently had a good group of about 12 to 14 kids attending their Sunday afternoon practices.
Renni decided to take on the task of coaching the youth darts league when he realized that there were opportunities for kids in darts.
“I had heard that there was a provincial dart tournament for kids, and it was underutilized. There were only like three or four kids that showed up, and I thought we could do better. So, now we have a whole bunch of kids who are going to make it out. The tournament is on March 8, and I think we’re going to have a pretty solid group from here. And then, plus hopefully the three kids from last year,” he said.
This league is actually a bit of a reboot of an older youth darts league that used to take place in Selkirk previously. Now, with renewed effort being put into darts, kids in Selkirk and the surrounding areas have more opportunities to have fun.
“I just thought it’s something different to get the kids out through winter. There’s hockey and ringette to get kids through winter, and skating, but darts and pool are underappreciated. So, we’re trying to get the kids into something new and get them out for a few hours,” said Herron.
In addition to the sport being a way to keep the winter boredom at bay, darts is actually a very fun way to reinforce learning that will help kids with some of their school skills.
“There’s the obvious hand-eye coordination, there is respect, there’s following the rules in place for what they can and cannot do, as far as pulling darts out of the board, and just the etiquette of the game, and the math is a huge one. It’s been really good for their math,” explained Renni.
For those that may not have played the game before, the math is quite intensive for a game, and there is a reasonable amount of strategy involved with hitting precise portions of the board so that you don’t bust and you have the best shots available for yourself later.
Renni credits the success of the Youth Darts League to the support of the Adults Darts League which is making it possible for the kids to play and learn completely for free and also supporting them in their provincial goals.
Renni said that so far it seems that the young players are having a good time, “There’s some competition happening, friendly competition, but I think they’re pretty excited to come out, and that’s really all you can ask for.”
Herron said that, for it being their first year, it’s been very busy.
“It’s been a great year for starting. We got a lot of kids, more than I thought we would have, and I hope it just grows. We had one of the kids, and she had a friend who wanted to try it out. (And they asked) ‘Oh, do you have to register?’ And, nope, we said just come and try,” she said.
The league is free to attend, and also, if you don’t have darts of your own, the youth league has dart sets donated by the adult darts league, so there is no barrier to entry for anyone who wants to join.
The league is now winding down for the summer, but plans to pick up again in the fall.
The group practises on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the back room of the Legion where it’s quieter.
“If you like some competition and want to have some fun. We’re trying to make it as easy to get here as possible,” said Renni.
Youth Darts players who have played this year will be going to the provincial championships in March, and then, with any luck, some may make their way to nationals in May.
If you’ve got any questions or would like to keep up with the group check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Selkirk-Youth-Darts/61580442137535/.
