Darts may not be a very popular sport among the younger generations, but it is giving locals young and old the opportunity to reach new heights.
For Hanover Park local Valerie Petersen, her by chance introduction to the sport has culminated in the opportunity of a lifetime, representing the continent of Africa in an international competition hosted in Florida, United States of America (USA) in August this year.
“When I met my husband, Donny more than 26 years ago, I discovered they were a dart family and I had no choice but to join the sport. I realised that I loved the sport and started playing for a club in 2010,” she says.
Playing for the Western Cape Wizzards, part of the African Darts Group, Petersen participated in a competition in Gqeberha on the weekend of Friday 31 March to Sunday 2 April.
After playing the sport for a club these last 13 years, she has made it to nationals twice and earned her Western Province colours last year.
At the end of the competition came a very special and unexpected announcement for Petersen. She had been named as part of the team to represent the continent of Africa at the international competition.
“I participated in the ladies finals where the other woman beat me 4/2. At the end of the event the team was announced that will represent Africa at an international competition in Florida, USA in August. Players were selected based on the first season results. I had no idea,” she says.
Petersen will be part of the first team along with one other woman, made up of players from various teams across the continent.
“This was a surprise, I had no idea when we were at the event that this would happen. This opportunity is huge for me. I never thought I would go this far with this sport, but I realise now the sky is the limit. I am not someone who has education behind me. I have a standard 8 certificate, but I could achieve this,” she says.
“I love the game. It is a way to de-stress for me. Many people associate this sport with alcoholism, but that is not the case. Some can’t play without alcohol, but this is a good game. My whole family plays the sport, although my son gave up darts this year to focus on his studies.”
For a means of income, Petersen runs a tuckshop at a local school and makes her own paaper bites, samoosas and other food items.
The overall cost of the trip is estimated at around R60 000.
In a bid to raise the funds required for both Valerie and her husband Donnie, they are also planning to put up a stall to sell more of her homemade goods, with funds going toward the trip.
“I am not looking for free money,” she says. “I will host a high tea and karaoke and sell items on weekend.”
Petersen will also need to have shirts made and appeals to any companies who would like to sponsor her in any way to get in touch. Their logo’s would then be placed on the shirt as well.
Between then and now, practice, practice and more practice is on the cards. “I am very excited. I have a dart board in my kitchen and I practice while I am cooking. I need to practice a lot. it does not mean I have been selected for this that I am the best. I am not the best, I need to practice a lot more. When I wake up, i practice, my husband doesnt need an alarm clock, the darts wake him up,” she jokes
“This is really an awesome opportunity for us, as it will be the first time we will be out of the country. We have been married for 26 years and my family is so supportive. I am the last man standing. my siblings and parents have passed on. I remember when I told my mom I wanted to play the game, she did not have a lot of faith in me and was worried I would become an alcoholic, But I know she is now proud of me.”
Petersen hopes to grow the sport in Hanover Park.
“For a person from Hanover Park with no education, I have come a long way. Nothing is impossible.
“I would love to introduce the game to the youth in the area. there is no darts in the area. One day I want to bring the children together and teach them the game,” she says.
“To the youth, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something. You can do anything you put your mind to. If I could do something like this, then you can too. There is so much drugs, gangsterism, alcoholism and crime in the area, but there is more you can do than get involved with that. Believe in yourself and tell yourself you can.”
To donate or for more information contact Valerie on 084 409 5790 or Donny on 084 698 8301
