How I Found My Passion For Darts

I was first introduced to darts around the age of 9 or 10. My neighbor and best friend, born only 2 weeks after I was, had a board set up in his basement. His father would often play when he had company over, which was often, and we would sometimes be given the opportunity to throw with them.

A few years down the road we had improved to a point that we could use the board on our own. We began to invite friends to join us and a group of us would play now and again as we progressed through high school. We enjoyed it and made many great memories. For instance, one of our closest friends made a wager with a girl he had recently met that if he hit a bullseye with one dart that she would have to join him on a trip to Australia. He hit the bullseye and off they went.

That event occurred around the time of our high school graduation. While we all remain friends to this day our time playing darts together came to an end as we went our separate ways. 

Nearly 20 years passed from those early days of playing darts to the time I picked it up again. It was of course one of those friends from high school that initiated it. I met him at a pub to watch NFL football on a Sunday afternoon. A couple of boards were available so we decided to have a laugh and toss a few games.

On a nearby board another couple of guys were throwing. We thought nothing of it as they were seemingly just having a good time. After a period of time, however, they approached us and suggested we try out for the team and join the league. I didn't even know there was a darts league in my area. It would seem fortune was shinning on me that day. I did make the team and have never looked back.

My passion for the sport had returned. Year over year I would improve ever so slightly. I moved up divisions and eventually became captain of a team. That team would go on to win a championship. It was an incredibly happy moment.

I've been in that league for more than 10 years now and still very much look forward to my Tuesday night competitions every week.