The Professional Darts Corporation has extended its support for the grassroots of the game with a new three-year commitment to the Junior Darts Corporation.
The JDC circuit has been one of the sport’s biggest growth areas in recent years, with junior academies introducing young players to the sport and the Scott Farms International Tour giving a series of ten events across the UK for players aged from 10-18.
The year culminates with the European Open, World Cup and Junior World Championship events being held in September in Gibraltar, before the Junior World Championship final is hosted at Alexandra Palace during the World Darts Championship.
The PDC’s three-year investment through to 2021 will allow the JDC circuit to continue its growth, with plans in place to expand player development, academies and coaching structures.
“This is fantastic news for the Junior Darts Corporation and its affiliated academies,” said JDC Chairman Steve Brown.
“I know that with the support from the PDC long term, we could not be better positioned to continue to develop our plans and grow all aspects of the JDC business.
“There are some exciting times ahead and this is a great time to be a young darts player.”
Bradley Brooks became the first JDC player to secure a PDC Tour Card in 2018, while Jarred Cole has also stepped onto the PDC circuit to inspire a host of other youngsters who are poised to step onto the PDC Unicorn Development Tour.
“As an organisation, the PDC is fully behind the work of the JDC and this three-year investment will allow them to continue their expansion,” said PDC Director Rod Harrington.
“We’ve supported the work of the JDC since day one and it’s been great to see their progress in providing a pathway for junior players through to the professional game. It’s only a matter of time before we see products of the JDC system challenging for the sport’s biggest honours.”
The JDC has also been supported by World Champion Michael van Gerwen, who is joined as an ambassador by a host of leading players. JDC players also received a master-class at the organisation’s Bristol base recently from former Players Championship Finals winner Paul Nicholson.
