While a Far North sailor was setting about scoring silver at the London Olympics last week, local dartists were securing a sequence of impressive results at the nationals in Rotorua.
Far North Darts picked up its first ever gold medal at the tournament after Brian and Jo Steed took out the national husband and wife title last Monday, August 6, by beating Lou and Maerene Tai by 4 games to 3. The husband and wife championships were contested by 66 teams, eg 11 sections of six teams.
The Steeds then played - with different partners - in the mixed pairs championship on Tuesday; Jo partnered Steve Doak to take out the mixed pairs championship as well on the Tuesday of the tournament, although Brian dipped out early in this event with partner Becca Marinkovich.
The mixed pairs were contested by 38 sections each featuring six teams.
The Steeds also made the final eight in their respective open singles events as did John Hereora from the Bay of Islands darts federation; Jo and Becca made the last 16 of the women's pairs, while Hereora with Bill Steinke, also from the Bay, made the last 16 of the men's pairs.
On the last day of the nationals on Saturday, organisers announced some tournament teams, with possibles vs probables matches taking place in the men's and ladies' A and B grades.
Brian and Jo Steed along with John Hereora were both picked for the men's A team while Steve Doak was selected for the Bs. And, following her performance, Jo Steed was named most consistent lady player at the tournament and named in the New Zealand ladies' team going to the Asia Pacific cup in Darwin in September.
Brian Steed said it had been a worthwhile week at the New Zealand Darts Council Nationals which were held at the Sportsdrome in Rotorua from August 5 to 10.
This was partly due to the amount of prize money won: the husband and wife title and mixed pairs titles were worth $400 and $600 respectively; Jo won $500 for her most consistent player award, while those who made the top 8 in the singles received $100 each.
"First time I have ever got any money for playing darts," Brian said, adding the prize money helped with the pair's expenses during the week-long event.
He was unable to resist adding that Jo with all her medals on looked like "General McArthur".
He also noted Northland qualified in the men's teams section but was eventually eliminated by Bay of Plenty in the first knock-out round.
However, he didn't think darts would be seen at the Olympics anytime in the near future.
The Far North Darts Association begins a sixes tournament tomorrow evening; see draw nearby.