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The soft tip darts revolution that has swept Europe and the USA is now knocking on the doors
of Australia and New Zealand. Darts Downunder is the latest Australian company to introduce the soft tip revolution to our shores.
Recently Dartplayers Australia spoke to Brain Lawless from Darts Downunder, “Darts Downunder is a new enterprise,” explined Lawless. “Our official opening was only a couple of weeks ago. Our suppliers and customers believe us to be the only dedicated Darts ONLY store in the country. Exciting but scary if true. We are the official importers and suppliers of the complete range of Arachnid home products and the Galaxy II Coin Op Electronic Dart Game. Our store already offers a broad range of electronic and traditional type darting products, but is continually increasing stock lines through the requests and suggestions from our customers.”
“We intend to create something that has, in a fashion, been tried before, and
that is a Soft Tip dart culture here in Australia,” continued Lawless.
“Currently there is very little soft dart playing in Australia. We are soon to commence the first of what will eventually be a nationally based league infrastructure. The first E-League will start in the Illawarra region, NSW. The play formats will vary from the amazing video assisted Golf game, Cricket and naturally, the ’01 style game.”
“We are extremely careful not to disrupt or clash with the excellent steel tip
leagues.
We envisage some steel tippers will also play in the E-League (electronic league). The technology of the product is attracting younger new players of the game and existing youth leaguers. This youth development is very important to us as in all walks of life, they are the (darting) future. I have spoken to the PCYC about running youth (under legal age) tournaments in their centres, with corporate sponsorship.”
“We have recently spoken to the local dart association presidents as well as the
clubs and pubs in our area. The response and anticipation of an E-League commencing has been tremendous. We have intentions to send the best two
Soft Tip players from the E-League to America in 2005 to play in the Bullshooter $250,000 Shootout held each year.”
“Darts Downunder have recently signed an agreement with the 2004 Oceanic Masters winner Barry China Jouannet. Barry will be a prominent figure , promoting Darts Downunder on Steel and Soft Tip Boards around the country. We caught up with Barry and he commented that even though Steel Tip is his game, he is certainly excited to be a part of this new era in Australian Darts and the possibility of playing soft tip and venturing to the USA to represent Darts Downunder on the soft tip board is certainly one challenge he is looking forward to.”
Dartplayers Australia will keep you posted on the upcoming E-League commencing
shortly in NSW and neighboring states. For more information regarding the E-League, contact Brian Lawless at <brian@dartsdownunder.com>.
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