Latest News
Q School Debut Success for Archie Macleod
Academy Student Archie Macleod had an amazing experience at the JDC Q School in Coventry. Archie played fantastic throughout the two day event and successfully finished 4th in the Order of Merit from the 64 players that were participating to try and secure themselves a JDC Advanced Tour Card.
Archie was awarded his Tour Card for finishing 4th place and will be competing amongst 32 of the best youth players in the world. Archie has also qualified for the JDC Junior World Championships 2022.
Mission Complete
After a wonderful year for Jacob the icing has been put on the cake by Mission signing Jacob, taking him under their wings and being lead by Blackburn Ambassador and Mission's Players Development Lead Darryl Fitton. Jacob joins team Mission along with student Kieran Thompson. The Journey has just begun for Jacob who we are sure will go far in the world of darts and will always have the support of the academy.
ENGLAND A WIN WORLD CUP
It was a fantastic Display by the England team in the World Cup Event beating some quality teams to get to the final. It was England V the Netherlands who are a strong team to play against. However it was Blackburn Student Jacob Hibbert that finished the tournament when he threw the last dart to claim England as World Cup Champions. He did both Blackburn and his country proud along with his team mates Henry Coates, Leighton Bennett and Luke Littler. What a team, What an achievement.
The Academy celebrated on Jacobs return by buying a massive cake dedicated to Jacob and the squad along with banners and balloons.
Keeping it in the Family as Premier League comes to a end
The Premier League came to an end with an incredible finals day which saw the top four from each division go head to head on stage in front of a live audience. The winners this year though was two brothers. Samual Anderson being crowned champion of the Elite Division after winning Jack Valentine in the Final and Owen Anderson who was crowned Champion of the Warriors Division after a close intense final with Archie Chippendale.
Blackburn host JDC Super 16 Qualifier
Keith Brunt was asked by the JDC to host one of the JDC Super 16 Qualifiers in which 2 male and 2 female from each qualifier would go through to the final 16 with a chance to play on stage at a televised PDC event. Blackburn covered the whole of the north.
The event was full of great matches and incredible performances. It was World number 1 Luke Littler and Derby's Henry Coates that made it through for the boys and Lauren Stoakes and Eleanor Cairns that qualified for the girls.
Bunting puts on display at Academy's first exhibition at new venue
It was a fantastic Friday Evening at the Academy Venue St Paul's WMC, when we hosted a Stephen Bunting Exhibition. Over 100 people attended and 16 got to play against him on stage including many of our students. To end the night Bunting played against Pro Player David Evans who was our MC for the evening. They both signed and donated their shirts for the auction which helped bring more funds in for the academy. A great night by all.
Archie shines bright has he represents Blackburn in West Midlands Green Zone Tour
Unfortunately only one Academy student went to West Midlands for the Green Zone Tour and that was 8 Year old Archie Chippendale. This is Archie's first ever Competition outside the Academy venue and he did Blackburn proud. Archie was drawn out against 2 JDC advanced tour players and 2 Foundation Tour Players on the day and made it through to the Semi Finals, unfortunately bowing out to Jensen Walker.
Blackburn Play Host to the JDC Green Zone Tour
On Saturday 28th August, Blackburn Academy played host to the JDC for their Green Zone Tour. It was a busy day with students from Academies all over the country in attendance including Portsmouth, Paignton, West Midlands, Southampton, Coventry, Stockport as well as our very own Blackburn Students. It was Blackburn that won the events on the day with Jacob Hibbert, Nathan Care and Archie Chippendale and Zac Care all collecting Awards. It was a fun and fantastic day had by all with so much praise and recognition about our academy venue and set up, which was greatly received. The next GZ Tour takes place tomorrow in West Midlands.
Jacob has hit the Maximum
Its been a wonderful couple of months for Jacob Hibbert competing in the JDC Advanced tour where he made the Finals board. Not only has Jacob secured his place in the world Championships but has also been awarded a PDC Development Tour Scholarship and selected to represent England A Team in this years World Cup event. It is certainly the Perfect Treble for Jacob.
Zac Care Joins Jacob Hibbert in Qualifying for the Junior World Championships in Gibraltar and secures Sponsorship
Zac Care is the youngest player to qualify for the World Championships at just 10 years old. He will join Student Jacob Hibbert in Gibraltar where they will compete to be crowned JDC World Champion. Zac qualified via the Academy System rather than the tour.
Academy Director Keith Brunt has since successfully secured Both Jacob and Zac sponsorship from Sapphire Utility Solutions to help them cover some of the costs for the trip to compete. Keith also secured additional sponsorship for Zac from Company Evertaut. We wish them both Luck in the Worlds.
Jacob secures Advanced tour card via JDC Q School
Student Jacob Hibbert has successfully secured his JDC Advanced Tour Card via his first attempt at JDC Q school. Jacob who has only been playing darts for around 9 months has secured his place and will compete against the Elite of youth players including Luke Littler, Leighton Bennett and 2 more Blackburn Students Nathan Care and Kieran Thompson.
Blackburn Make upsetting decision to pull out of World Championships
Officials and Parents at Blackburn Youth Darts Academy have had to make a tough and disappointing decision to pull out of the JDC Virtual World Championships in Gibraltar. The decision came after the holiday company 'Last Minute' had mis-sold the holiday package which did not meet the current covid restriction and refused to help change hotel and only offered a small partial refund. This has left officials, the academy and parents in a total over £5000 out of pocket. 4 students and 4 officials where due to compete in the World Championships after qualifying during lock down via the online platform.
Blackburn Academy Reopens
On the 22nd May 2021 Blackburn Youth Darts Academy was able to reopen its doors once again in their new venue St. Paul's WMC, after Months of the country being in lockdown due to the pandemic.
It was a great feeling to welcome everyone back old and new to our Academy. This is the start of a new chapter and one that will be filled with lots of potential achievements and sure to be an exciting adventure.