Darts South Africa

5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

The Strategic Plan focuses on a number of key areas important to a sustainable good future for darts in

our country. Over the years, passion and dedication have been the foundation and strength behind the

organising and playing of darts in all parts of our country. We recognise the value of that work and

encourage it to continue in that spirit. But there is a need to deal with the challenges of the day and to

introduce changes that will benefit the game and all its many players and supporters and for darts to

add its contribution towards South Africa’s sporting success.

The Strategic Plan consists of four main initiatives,

1. OPERATION BULLS-EYE

This national development plan is upgraded to focus on core projects aimed at:

~ Intensifying our efforts to introduce darts into urban and rural communities with LET’S PLAY

DARTS projects,

~ Involving more colleges and universities (SASSU),

~ Engaging schools through an ADOPT-A-SCHOOL plan (USSASA),

~ Encouraging involvement from DISSA structures,

~ Improving playing excellence in our AIMING FOR TOPS programme,

~ Growing volunteer involvement particularly at youth levels,

~ Promoting good administration skills with the introduction of a training project, RAP

(Responsible Administration Plan),

~ Providing darts-specific technical and management training courses...

The main objectives are:

~ To grow membership numbers by 30%

~ To accelerate transformation

~ To launch Youth Leagues throughout the country

~ To develop suitably qualified darts-specific coaches and match officials

~ To promote good governance at all levels of the sport

~ To improve our current international ranking from 16th to 8th position.

2. GRADING OF COMPETITIONS

In preparation for the introduction of a National Ranking System and to encourage playing excellence, a

Competition Grading System for all events is under consideration.

3. CLASSICS CIRCUIT

Responding to the call for another quality national event that can be played in all areas, that will

encourage and recognise playing excellence, that will open opportunities for gaining organising

experience and that will boost public interest, a proposal to launch a National Circuit of Classics for

Men and Women is also under consideration.

4. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The annual National Championships is the premier event of the local darts calendar attracting entries

from all regions and district associations. There is a proposal to restructure the Event with the aims of:

~ Raising the competitive challenge in all events,

~ Improving the organisation and presentation styles of the event to new levels of expertise

~ Making participation more affordable,

~ Reducing the present demand for a large playing area that restricts playing the event to a few

large indoor venues and excludes those areas that do not have suitable venues.

We launch an ambitious Action Plan that is similar in many respects to the work being done in

Australia, India, the Netherlands and many other World Darts Federation countries. It is only the

beginning of a number of projects we are planning for the future. The overall intention is to put South

African darts into good shape. The success of the Action Plan will require building partnerships with

member associations, with SASSU, with USSASA and with DISSA. We will also strengthen our

interest in the corporate sector particularly with government departments, SA Police, SA Correctional

Services, SA Mines, and Defence Force etc.

LET’S PLAY DARTS

OBJECTIVES

~ To introduce the game of darts as a sport to be played and enjoyed by all;

~ To demonstrate and encourage the skills for good darts play:

~ To encourage participants to join existing clubs or to form new clubs.

~ Regional and District Associations are encouraged to work with local community sports councils

and to involve their local SASSU structures.

TARGET GROUPS

~ Youth ages 18 to 25

~ Colleges and Universities

~ PDI - Black and Women

~ Disabled persons

~ Rural and urban areas.

PROJECT TASKS

~ Explain and discuss the Playing Rules

~ Explain equipment used in the game

~ Explain the Darts SA structure, Zone VI and World Darts Federation

~ Instruction in and demonstration of good playing technique

~ Suggestions on best practice methods

~ Emphasise the importance of accurate, quick calculations - give examples

~ Discuss match play discipline and sportsmanship qualities.

~ With the assistance of specialists, discuss substance abuse, Aids

ADOPT A SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION

The participation of youth in the sport of darts has grown in recent years. Many young people choose

not to participate in the traditional school sports of football, rugby, netball, tennis, cricket etc. and seek

other sporting interests. Darts offers a challenging interest in the form of team and individual

participation, numeracy skills, character development and leadership skills. This ADOPT-A-SCHOOL

project is designed to work with youth on how to play the game for recreational and competitive

purposes as part of their school’s sports programme. Regional and District Associations are required

to involve their local USSASA structures.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ADOPT-SCHOOL PROJECT

~ To introduce the game of darts to young people under a structured plan that demands best

training by suitably skilled, responsible project leaders.

~ To invite schools and educators to become involved and to develop a good working relationship

with individual schools and with their national sports authority, USSASA.

~ To build sportsmanship and good character skills.

~ To introduce Youth leagues in all areas.

TARGET GROUPS

~ All youth under the age of 18.

~ A special focus on historically disadvantaged schools

~ Rural and urban areas.

PROJECT TASKS

~ Explain and discuss the Playing Rules

~ Explain equipment used in the game (for the u-13’s, soft tip darts may be an option)

~ Explain the Darts SA structure, Zone VI and World Darts Federations

~ Instruction in and demonstration of good playing technique

~ Suggestions on best practice methods

~ Emphasise the importance of accurate, quick calculations - give examples

~ Discuss match play discipline and sportsmanship qualities.

~ With the assistance of specialists, discuss drugs, Aids, sex awareness, alcohol and

abuse/molestation.

AIMING FOR TOPS

OBJECTIVES

~ To identify players of excellence for special training

~ To entrench our Top ranking in Zone VI:

~ To improve our international ranking into the top 8

~ To prepare players for stage and television appearances

TARGET GROUPS

~ Youth under 18

~ Youth ages 18 to 25

~ Protea players

~ Regional and District players

~ Coaches

PROJECT LEADERS

~ Former senior players with experience

~ Provincial departments of Sport

~ Sports Science Institute

~ Sports Academies

~ SA Institute for Drug Free Sport

PROJECT TASKS

~ Playing rules

~ Playing techniques

~ Practice methods

~ Numerical skills

~ Drugs & alcohol in sport

~ Match play & Discipline

~ Motivation

~ Analyse international playing standards

RAP PROGRAMME

RAP 1 - Executive President / Chairman

Role - Team builder

~ Meeting procedure

RAP 2 - Secretary

Role - Team leader

~ Writing a Minute

~ Planning a meeting

~ Letter writing

~ Dealing with disciplinary matter

~ Writing a Report

RAP 3 - Treasurer

~ Financial discipline

~ Keeping proper records

~ Budgeting

~ Accountability

RAP 4 - Match Secretary

~ Rules of the Game

~ Planning a set of Fixtures

~ The value of Statistics

~ Planning a Competition

RAP 5 - Public Relations Officer / Media Officer

~ Media plan / Media Launch

~ Writing a Media Release

~ E-mail

RAP 6 - Trustee

~ Keeping an Asset Register

~ Colours register

~ Archives

RAP 7 - How to raise funds

RAP 8 - How to write a Business Plan & Prepare a Budget

RAP 9 - Volunteer Programme