JDE INFORMATION
JDE INFORMATION
JDE is the newly formed education department of the highly successful JDC. Our new JDE Learning Centres model goes live from September 2026, this includes a subscription model for curriculum related resources.
With over 30 years of education experience and over a decade of darts specific education, the team is led by Gary Horsley and builds on the positive reaction to many education initiatives over the last decade – one highlight being the award winning Bullseye Maths scheme led in conjunction with the PDC.
With over 30 years of education experience and over a decade of darts specific education, the team is led by Gary Horsley and builds on the positive reaction to many education initiatives over the last decade – one highlight being the award winning Bullseye Maths scheme led in conjunction with the PDC.
OUR MISSION
To promote learning through darts.
VALUES
Developing participants ready for the darts industry with a focus on the skills in our learning framework – our Heartbeat. Ensuring the first / last message for all sessions and our legacy impact.
To help all participants to be the best they can be and to find their Brightside within our educational products. We follow a PAP system where we develop the Person first, then the athlete and follow the focus through to the player – so our products in the JDE system are applicable for all.
To help all participants to be the best they can be and to find their Brightside within our educational products. We follow a PAP system where we develop the Person first, then the athlete and follow the focus through to the player – so our products in the JDE system are applicable for all.
THE JDE TEAM
GARY HORSLEY
Director of Education and Community Projects
Gary has over 30 years of experience working in education and has worked in an education and academy setting in darts for over a decade.
Gary has significant experience working in the FE sector and has developed projects and initiatives across primary, secondary, university levels for all ages and has developed many staff CPD events across the education sector.
A qualified coach in a range of sports - Gary has applied the coaching science learnt from a host of sports and developed the innovative ABC darts scheme that is fully supported by the JDC, PDC, Winmau and GoDartsPro - the darts industry leads. Gary has a passion for sports psychology and is proud to be the lead or key contributor to many award winning projects like Bullseye Maths, Balls to Poverty, Learn to Skate UK, LTA Tennis Festival week, Project Falcon to name but a few highlights.
Gary has significant experience working in the FE sector and has developed projects and initiatives across primary, secondary, university levels for all ages and has developed many staff CPD events across the education sector.
A qualified coach in a range of sports - Gary has applied the coaching science learnt from a host of sports and developed the innovative ABC darts scheme that is fully supported by the JDC, PDC, Winmau and GoDartsPro - the darts industry leads. Gary has a passion for sports psychology and is proud to be the lead or key contributor to many award winning projects like Bullseye Maths, Balls to Poverty, Learn to Skate UK, LTA Tennis Festival week, Project Falcon to name but a few highlights.
CALLUM ELLIS
Hi, I’m Callum, and I’m part of the Junior Education Team. I’ve had a long standing passion for darts and before joining the Junior Darts Corporation I spent three years teaching in school settings, helping young people develop both in and out of the classroom.
Combining my passion for darts with my experience in education made joining the Junior Darts Education team a natural fit. My role focuses on delivering our educational programmes, using darts as an engaging way to help young people build confidence, teamwork, focus and numeracy skills while developing their ability in the sport.
As part of the Junior Education Team, I’ve had the privilege of delivering darts programmes in schools across the UK and internationally. One of the highlights has been working in Bahrain, where we’ve led an exciting project helping to shape the development of darts in the Middle East and introduce the sport to a new generation of young players.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing students grow not just as players but as individuals. Whether introducing someone to darts for the first time or helping them reach their potential it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re making a positive impact through the game.
I’m always looking for new opportunities to learn and develop. I’m proud to play a part in inspiring the next generation of darts players and showing young people the opportunities the sport can provide.
Combining my passion for darts with my experience in education made joining the Junior Darts Education team a natural fit. My role focuses on delivering our educational programmes, using darts as an engaging way to help young people build confidence, teamwork, focus and numeracy skills while developing their ability in the sport.
As part of the Junior Education Team, I’ve had the privilege of delivering darts programmes in schools across the UK and internationally. One of the highlights has been working in Bahrain, where we’ve led an exciting project helping to shape the development of darts in the Middle East and introduce the sport to a new generation of young players.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing students grow not just as players but as individuals. Whether introducing someone to darts for the first time or helping them reach their potential it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re making a positive impact through the game.
I’m always looking for new opportunities to learn and develop. I’m proud to play a part in inspiring the next generation of darts players and showing young people the opportunities the sport can provide.
LEE GILLETT
For the past decade I have held a dual role. I have successfully run my own sports coaching business, delivering sports sessions and activities to children and young people both in a school environment and out in the community. This has given me extensive experience in coaching, engagement, building relationships with schools and families, and creating positive sporting experiences for young people.
Alongside my coaching business, I have worked with the Bristol City Robins Foundation, specialising in community activation and engagement. My work includes using sport and physical activity to bring people together and improve health and wellbeing. This has included walking football, men’s mental health sessions and other community-based activities designed to encourage people to become more active and connected.
I’m passionate about the wider impact sport can have. For me, coaching is not just about developing sporting ability, it is about building confidence, creating opportunities, improving wellbeing and helping people feel part of something positive.
I also bring a personal perspective as a JDC Academy parent. My son has been part of an academy and has experienced playing on the foundation tour, giving me first hand insight into the commitment, organisation and opportunities that academy darts can provide to young players and their families. Being a parent within the programme has allowed me to see the experience from both sides as someone working professionally in sport and as a parent supporting a young player through his sporting journey.
My combination of coaching experience, community engagement and personal experience as a sports parent gives me a strong understanding of the positive role sport can play in young people’s development, as well as the importance of creating enjoyable, inclusive and meaningful experiences for players and families.
Alongside my coaching business, I have worked with the Bristol City Robins Foundation, specialising in community activation and engagement. My work includes using sport and physical activity to bring people together and improve health and wellbeing. This has included walking football, men’s mental health sessions and other community-based activities designed to encourage people to become more active and connected.
I’m passionate about the wider impact sport can have. For me, coaching is not just about developing sporting ability, it is about building confidence, creating opportunities, improving wellbeing and helping people feel part of something positive.
I also bring a personal perspective as a JDC Academy parent. My son has been part of an academy and has experienced playing on the foundation tour, giving me first hand insight into the commitment, organisation and opportunities that academy darts can provide to young players and their families. Being a parent within the programme has allowed me to see the experience from both sides as someone working professionally in sport and as a parent supporting a young player through his sporting journey.
My combination of coaching experience, community engagement and personal experience as a sports parent gives me a strong understanding of the positive role sport can play in young people’s development, as well as the importance of creating enjoyable, inclusive and meaningful experiences for players and families.
