World's top darts players set to take flight in Hamilton

After a three-year absence, the New Zealand Darts Masters is back with a bang.

It means some of the world's best darts players will be showing off their stuff in Hamilton this weekend.

It's a sport born in pubs and as anyone who has ever watched it knows, the crowds can get more than a little lively. And with thousands of tickets already sold for tonight's and tomorrow night's competition, it's bound to be a jolly affair in Hamilton, too.

It's a highly skilled sport, but the competitors' abilities come not from endless gym workouts but from their immense powers of concentration.

And what many New Zealanders might not realise is that some of these players are famous - really famous.

World number four Michael "Bully Boy" said there are lots of misconceptions about darts.

"They think we're all in the pub and all alcoholics and stuff like that but as you can see it's a big sport and everyone loves it.

"It's come along in leaps and bounds in the last 10 or 15 years."

Like many of the players who've made their way to Aotearoa, Russ Bray, the famous darts referee who they call "the Voice", started out as a tradie.

But the 65 year old says darts has allowed him to live his dream.

"My profession is a scaff - I was a scaffolder. I ain't scaffed in 20-odd years and I wouldn't want to do it now."

Bray, like many of the players, has an impressive array of tattoos covering both arms, which he says are mementos from his high-flying career.

"I've got them from all over the world - I got one from Vegas, I got one from the Philippines, I got one from Thailand, one from Australia. I've not got one done in New Zealand yet."

Another giant in the dart's world is Jonny "The Ferret" Clayton, who took a break from his cup of tea to speak with RNZ.

A former rugby player, darts gave Clayton a second shot at being a professional sportsperson, and it's clear the Welshman loves what he does.

"I broke my leg playing rugby. Basically I'm sport-mad and I wasn't any good at golf but I was a bit better at darts. So that's my story - I picked up darts and it came good for me."

As for tournament preparation, the Ferret says he's always on the lookout for his favourite chicken restaurant.

"I like to chill and if there's a Nando's about - 'cause I love my Nando's - I usually get that."

Some of the other big names in Hamilton this weekend include "Mighty" Michael Van Gerwen and world number one Gerwyn "the Ice Man" Price.

But six New Zealanders are also vying for the title, including Opotiki's Ben "Big Rig" Robb, the country's top ranked player.

"The old man played darts and I kind of just fell into it really, now here we are."

The 33 year old is a plumber and drainlayer by day, but has aspirations to join the darts circuit fulltime.

He says rubbing shoulders with dart's A-listers is always fun.

"Yeah it's cool, bro. It gives you a taste of what life could be if all the chips align and things go the way you want them to."

Best thing is 'beating the men'

You could be forgiven for thinking it, but it's not all men making it big in the darts world.

Fallon "Queen of the Palace" Sherrock from Milton Keynes is holding it down for the women.

"The best thing about it is obviously beating the men," she said.

She, too, is keen to challenge some of the misconceptions people have about darts.

"I think they think that everyone drinks and they're all big … [but] I'm skinny, I don't really drink. I just go play my darts and I enjoy it," she says.

English legend James "the Machine" Wade agrees.

"People think it's the life of Riley and it's easy and they think it's just turn up and do your thing.

"But there's a lot of things that go on in between - it's hard work, it's dedication and you miss out on a lot of stuff."

This edition of the New Zealand Darts Masters involves 16 competitors in a knockout contest, with a $200,000 prize pool up for grabs.

It's been a long time coming, with many tickets sold before the pandemic.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate helped open proceedings, and was chomping at the bit to have the spotlight on her city.

"Oh, it's super exciting. We've been through a really strange three years since they last came, so this is a real uplift for our community. Plus it shows that Hamilton can host the best events."