Two Flin Flon siblings were on target during the Saskatchewan Dart Association’s (SDA) zone playoffs last weekend.
Tanya Benoit qualified for the upcoming Saskatchewan Adult Provincials with a finish in the Women’s Singles while brother Darrell Nash qualified in the Men’s Singles.
The Northern Flights Dart Club (NFDC), which the two have been a part of for close to two decades, will host this year’s provincial tournament at the Creighton Sportex from April 10-12.
The Club transitioned to the SDA roughly eight years ago from the Manitoba Dart Association (MDA) as the majority of the tournaments close to the club were held in Saskatchewan.
“We’ve got a whole area of tournaments and that was one of the reasons we made the switch,” said long-time dart player Brian Humphries and co-starter of the NFDC. “It’s been a good move for us.”
This year will be Flin Flon’s first time hosting the provincial tournament since they joined the SDA though many local players have experienced the provincial atmosphere in years past.
The spring event will be the area’s second kick at hosting provincials as the community hosted in the late 80s while still members of the MDA.
For this year’s Saskatchewan Adult Provincials there are spots for 72 players to compete though it is still unknown how many from the Flin Flon area will join Benoit and Nash.
Local players will be able to fill in spots from other players unable to make it to the tournament.
NFDC president Perry Burton hopes to see roughly 20 local players competing in the tournament, though the final numbers won’t be known until closer to the competition.
Nash and Benoit are no strangers to competition at the provincial or national level.
Both players have competed for Team Manitoba in various years and locations including Canadian tournaments in Quebec for Nash and a World competition in South Africa for Benoit.
The two come by it naturally as both parents, Kevin and Dorothy Nash, play in the NFDC. Kevin not only helped start the club with Humphries and Burton, but has also represented Team Manitoba over the years.
The family makes up four of 40 members currently in the club as they play on various nights throughout the week at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 73.
The Nash family represents a handful of the talent among the local dart players, which Burton and Humphries agree is spread wide.
“I think we’ve always had an element of very competitive dart players,” said Humphries. “We’re very fortunate.”
The club hosts darts three nights a week at the Legion with a fun night on Monday, a mixed league on Tuesday and a competitive league on Thursday.
“Playing darts on a Thursday night here really develops a player,” said Humphries. “If you’re playing Thursday night darts on a regular basis you’re getting ready to play in provincial competitions.”
“I’ll be going soon enough,” said Benoit, who will compete in April.
The NFDC has an open door policy that welcomes new players as well as those just looking for something to do one evening.
“I encourage people to come out,” said Burton “And most of us have two or three sets of darts in our bag so (we) can loan a set out.”
Burton says often new members are hesitant of making a commitment, but the beauty of darts is that players don’t need to attend every night.
“You don’t have to go every week,” he said. “On a four person team you might only have two people, but there are always spares who come out.”
Burton, Humphries and Benoit encourage area residents – from Flin Flon, Creighton or Denare Beach – to try out the NFDC.
Members of the NFDC will have their fair share of competition this year as the club hosts the Saskatchewan Adult Provincials in April followed by two more tournaments in as many weekends.
Following the provincial tournament, where players who qualify will move on to the national level, the local Legion will host the Legion Command Dart Tournament. The following weekend, the NFDC will host the Flin Flon Open.
This year will mark 33 years for the Flin Flon Open, a reputation that continues to give the local club credit.
“People come up and they know it’s a quality tournament,” said Burton. “It’s one of the best the SDA has to offer. [Hosting provincials] is a little nod to say that we deserve it.”
