Kelly Oswald
Reporter
For many Flin Flon area residents, darts is one pastime that is on target.
And darts at the junior level continues to develop, though instructor Laurence Balfour hopes to see the numbers rise.
Originally held in the old Flin Flon Hotel on Sunday afternoons in the early 1980s, the Junior Dart Club now meets in the basement of the Flin Flon Pentecostal Church Saturday afternoons.
The club is made up of 11 youth as well as adults and parents just learning the game. The youth have spent the past year learning the game and working on their aim, math skills and strategies.
Balfour, who has played darts for nearly 60 years, says the group’s numbers need to increase for the players to advance.
“We’re in practice mode until we have get more kids involved,” he said.
“We need to get more [members] to join the club.”
While the club has 11 members, oftentimes there are only a handful of players on any given weekend.
Balfour says youth’s commitment to hockey and other sports make it difficult for members to be a part of the club.
He hopes to see the club move into the Saskatchewan Darts Association youth division if more members join.
The club is currently able to accommodate 16 players, though Balfour says they won’t turn members away and will put up additional
dart boards if need be.
Took a break
After its initial four-year run at the Flin Flon Hotel, the Junior Dart Club took a break for roughly 20 years before reforming.
When Balfour became ill he was unable to continue with the club and was forced to close it down until this past year.
That’s when he was approached by Pastor Mikael Mantyla to restart the dart club in the Pentecostal church basement.
Balfour says youth looking to join the league do not need any experience or even knowledge of the game.
The club also supplies the equipment needed, including dartboards and darts.
For those who wish to purchase their own equipment, Balfour says it isn’t an expensive sport to play.
“A set of darts is maybe $40 and they can last for years,” he said.
Balfour offers his own darts from years past as a starter kit for youth interested in joining the club.
In the earlier years of the club, Balfour travelled to various parts of Canada – including Quebec, New Brunswick and the Yukon – with the youth members.
After 55-plus years of playing darts, Balfour says he now prefers watching others learn and excel in the game.
“I like to play, but I also like to see the kids play,” he said. “I like to see them do well.”
The club meets for a few hours on Saturday afternoons in the basement of the Pentecostal Church. The club will welcome new members at any point throughout the season.
