Opening Ceremony
The 29th FORMULA Australian Junior Darts Championships were opened at 10.00am. Queensland Darts Association MC Terry Taylor welcomed everyone and introduced the dignitaries in attendance. Deputy Director- General of Sport and Recreational Services representing Mr Phil Reeves Minister for Sport, Ruth Brown, Betty Hislop DFA, QDA President Barry McLeod, Zone 1 President Gordon Mathers and Inala Darts Club President Graham Hinds.
QDA Secretary Terry Taylor wished everyone a Happy New Year and welcomed all players' officials and supporters to the Inala Darts Club in Brisbane. He thanked the parents and supporters that had come here to support the players and also those who were helping with the running of the Championships. He thanked the Inala Darts Club for allowing us to use the facilities to conduct these championships. He especially congratulated all players that have been selected to represent their state, wished them luck and hoped they all had a great time and plenty of fun.
The Parade of Flags followed:
The flag bearers were:
- Australian Flag
Rebecca Webster representing the host State
- Dart Federation of Australia Flag
Harlee Chauntler representing the Darts Federation of Australia Team
- New South Wales
Amy Clegg & Luke Sipple
Northern Territory
Ronnie Swan - Queensland
Elle Ward & Robbie King (right)
- South Australia
Asha Gurd & Jacob Loch
- Tasmania
Haylee Smith & Nathan Seabourne
- Victoria
Renee Plucinski & Sam Ballinger
- Western Australia
Edwina Dryden & Conan Ugle
- South Australia
Asha Gurd & Jacob Loch
QDA President Barry McLeod was asked to address the gathered. He welcomed everyone to Queensland and wished everyone luck. He hoped all cou ld get out and about during the week and see some of the attractions that Brisbane has to offer. His final remark was, "Don't complain about the heat, this is Queensland"
Introduced next was Betty Hislop, Darts Federation of Australia Vice President. She also welcomed everyone to the 29th Formula Australian Junior Darts Championships and wished them all the very best of luck. She asked players to respect the Officials here as they put a lot of time and effort to help them through the Championships. She stressed the importance of fair play and sportsmanship, playing with the right spirit and in particular to enjoy themselves, make some new friends and have fun. She thanked the Queensland Darts Association for all of their hard work at making these a great Championship.
Ruth Brown (left) then welcomed everyone to Brisbane and was impressed that this was the 29th Australian Junior Darts Championships. She highlighted how the association between the QDA and the Queensland Government has always been a good relationship. She was also impressed by the number of members that play the sport of darts here in Queensland and she also highlighted the success of Simon Whitlock an adopted Queenslander on his performance recently overseas.
At all Australian Darts Championships it is the tradition of the guest to officially open the Championships by throwing the first three darts. Deputy Director- General of Sport and Recreational Services Ruth Brown was handed the darts to throw at the board on the main stage. She officially opened the games and all of the three darts she threw finished in the scoring zone.
