The JDC’s hugely popular Foundation Tour returns with four events this weekend – and the first two weekends of action have already sold out.
Four places on the Advanced Tour – and eight spots at the World Championship in Gibraltar – are up for the grabs for the best performers over the Foundation Tour season, with Scotland’s Mitchell Lawrie (pictured) coming out on top in 2024.
With entries capped at 196 for logistical reasons, every single place in Events 1-4 (this Saturday and Sunday) and Events 5-8 (taking place on March 29-30) has been snapped up.
In 2024, Foundation Tour events typically attracted between 150 and 170 participants – but the phenomenal interest in junior darts has meant around 250 players were interested in playing this weekend.
JDC tournament director Robbie Long said: “We would love to be able to run tournaments for everyone that wants to play but the capacity of the venue is around 600 – and capping it at 196 means we don’t have to say kids can only bring one parent or no siblings.
“We appreciate that a lot of our players travel from further afield and it’s often a family weekend for them to come to the darts. We capped it at 196, so if every player brings two people with them, we’re still within the limit of what the venue can hold.”
Time constraints were also a consideration, and two tournaments per day of 196 players ensures play can be concluded within an appropriate timeframe.
The Foundation Tour is for players aged between 10 and 17, and has a prize fund of £13,100 across the season, with the winner of each event landing £250.
“The Foundation Tour does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s all about preparing the next generation for a future in darts,” added Long.
“So many players who’ve gone on to do really well have started on the Foundation Tour – and it also teaches players about the reality of playing across a whole day. It takes physical and mental stamina to compete for that long, and it really builds them up to go onto bigger and better things. It’s great experience.”
In 2025, all five weekends of the Foundation Tour will be played at the JDC’s Centre of Excellence in Coventry.
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