YELLOWWOOD Park darting duo Tanya Thomas and Charmaine Neethling, were part of the team of six that represented KZN and managed to secure second place at the South African National Darts Championships held in Port Elizabeth from 24 to 28 June.
The championships take place annually where the best players from each region and district compete to claim victory as the top provincial team in the country as well as to make the cut in the top four players for the SA team. The pair described the event as both exciting and stressful as well as an opportunity to improve their skills in the one sport they love most.
Charmaine was first introduced to darts when she worked at a pub some years back as a social sport and soon took a liking to it. Charmaine has numerical dyslexia which has posed a challenge for her in her darting career, especially when it comes to calculating her scores, but she has not allowed that to deter her from throwing some of her best darts yet.
“I only started to compete seriously in 2009 and it has been an amazing journey, having been chosen for provincials three consecutive years. It’s the only sports I’ve ever done or so long. I did lots of sport growing up, but this the only one that has stuck with me till this day. I still enjoy it and still want to better,” said the progressive and determined darter who is currently working towards earning her 25th badge and receiving her Protea colours as her ultimate goal, as inspired by her role model, Tanya.
Tanya has been an avid dart player since the age of 12 and describes the sport as her absolute passion in life. “Darts is my earliest memory and I can only best describe it as my life. If I’m not practicing with my club, I’m practicing with my association or provincial teams or out supporting other players at their games.”
Tanya first earned her SA colours as a junior from 2003 and was undefeated as a junior until she entered senior level. Her winning streak continued as she once again received SA colours as a senior in 2007 and has since played for the Protea dart team for 25 years now. “Once you get to that level you set a certain standard not only for yourself, but also for other people watching and supporting you. It comes with additional pressure which can affect how you perform the game can take its toll on your mental focus. Trying to stay on top does get challenging because you’re aiming to remain in the top four for the SA team,” she said.
The SA darter will be heading to Romania later this year for the world cup. This will be her fourth world cup as a senior and her goal is to now make it all the way through to the world cup finals. “I’ve always been one game away from reaching the finals, but I’m hoping this time will be my chance. Win or lose I just want to make it to the finals as a senior and give it my best shot. That’s the one thing I have not yet accomplished and I’ll keep playing until I do achieve it.”
Tanya and Charmaine appeal to the Yellowwood Park public to try out darts at the local sports club. “Darts is sadly a dying sport with very few young people. All it takes is to try it out to see how fun it actually is. It’s one of the few sports that you can play till you’re tired and grey while having fun with a team that feels more like a family,” they said.
Darts practice is held at the Yellowwood Park Sports Club on 1 Swallow Street. For more information email chazzy463@gmail.com.
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