Changing of the guard at the DFA

Mr Allan Hutchison has retired from the position of Darts Federation of Australia President after being in the Chair for six years. A small amount of time compared to the forty years he has put into the sport of darts at every level there is, but it has been a very valuable and successful six years for the Darts Federation of Australia (DFA).

Allan was elected to the position of President of the DFA at the AGM in March 2003. He bought a wealth of experience to the position, along with his belief that our sport is for all, not just the elite. He believed that the DFA is an instrument to assist all players from all states and territories to achieve their own personal goals and have the best possible playing for Australia.

Like many of us he became interested in the sport of darts by playing a social game at the local pub playing with brass darts. Back in 1970 the Seaford Hotel formed an official dart team and affiliated with the Mornington Peninsular Dart League. Allan, being a foundation member in 1973 he was elected as Mornington's Delegate to the then Victorian Federation of Darts, and in 1975 he was elected President of Mornington Peninsular Dart League.

In 1976 the Victorian Darts Federation of Victoria and the then governing body Victorian Darts Association amalgamated and became the Victorian Darts Council Inc. with Allan became its first Treasurer holding that position until 1982 when he was elected to the position of President. He also became Victoria's Delegate to the Darts Federation of Australia Inc. in 1977 and held that position until 2003 when he was elected DFA President.

These achievements have been rewarded with Life Member of the DFA (1997), VDC, MPDL being stowed on him. (Right - Allan centre with the Victorian Executive at the 5th Australian Darts Championships)

Allan has been caught up at some stage over these forty years in all aspects of our sport, from junior level to seniors. He was Boys Captain for Victoria (from 1980 until 1987) when the first tri state competition for juniors was played between Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory at the Geelong Dart Club in 1980. This was to be the beginning of the Australian Junior Darts Championships. He was also Captain of the Victorian Senior Men's Team right up to 2002. He also Captained on the international scene, being Captain of the DFA Pacific Cup Teams in 1988 and 1990 and the DFA World Cup Team in 1993. He also has held the position of Australian Chairman of Selectors from early eighties until 2002. (Above - Allan pictured at the front of the 1983 Victorian Junior State Team)

With retirement come pleasures. I'm sure he will stay involved in the sport in some way. I'm sure many will be asking for advise and guidance from Allan in the future and he will be keeping a close look at what is happening on the darting scene for years to come. Hopefully seeing Australia winning the World Cup which Allan believes Australia is capable of winning - soon.

Allan is married to Geraldine (who is just involved in darts at Allan has been) with four grown up children and four grandchildren, who delight in calling him "Grumps". He will have more time to spend with family now.

All at the DFA wish you well in retirement Allan, keep in touch and perhaps one day hopefully not too far into the future you will role up a DFA darts event in a beautiful restored Chevy that now sits covered over in the back of the crash repair shop. Thanks again for your many years of service that many people have benefited and appreciated from.

Meet Kelvin James
March 2009 sees a new era with the election of a new DFA President in Kelvin James. Kelvin has been around darts for many years - around thirty in fact. The interest began when as a young man in his hometown of Merthyr Tydfil Wales started as a player in the Merthyr & District Darts League. In 1991 he immigrated to Australia and late in 1992 commenced his involvement in darts in Australia as a player of a super league in Melbourne.

He has been a Member of the Victorian Darts Council since 1992 and represented Victoria firstly in the State Team from 1996 to 1999. From this point on his direction changed. Changing from a player to a leader, he was elected to the position of the Manager of the Victorian State Team in 1999 and held that placing until 2002 where the following year he was named Captain. He has held that position up until this year, missing 2006.

From 1999 he also became involved on the VDC Committee holding the position of Assistant Secretary for two years. In 2001 he stepped up to the position of Vice President and in 2008 moved forward again to become President of the VDC, which he still holds.

On a national level, be has been a VDC DFA Delegate from 2003 to 2009, an Australian selector (2001, 2003, 2005), and internationally in 2007 he was nominated by the DFA for the position of Vice President to the World Darts Federation which he was successful in winning. In his position as Vice-President of the WDF he has gained a vast amount of experience in how the structure of our sport has been developed, the direction it is heading and how we need to position ourselves on the international front.

He has great knowledge of the Asia/Pacific and World Cup which he has attended on a number of occasions in Australia, Philippines, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

Kelvin and wife Deb will have many busy times ahead. His great sense of humor goes well with this position. He demonstrates a high degree of responsibility, has strong leadership and communitive skills, has strong work ethic effectively manage others, and has plenty of initiative and most importantly a positive direction for the DFA.

We wish Kelvin much success in his new role.

Two future DFA Presidents as they appeared back in Gosford 2002.