The Cochrane Mixed Dart League is promoting an upcoming Darts Alberta-sanctioned event called Shoot on the Bow, which will be held over three days at the Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre from July 8 to 10. Doors open at 6 p.m. on the Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The tournament will be the fifth annual event, and organizers are anticipating 75 to 120 players coming to Cochrane from across the province, Saskatchewan, and B.C. to compete.
As many as 75 to 150 players participate at these tournaments held over a weekend. Players participate for prize money and for ranking points in the singles events. The top point players are invited to participate at Canadian and world-class tournaments.
If successful, this tournament will continue to be an annual event with the possibility of it becoming a nationally-ranked tournament.
The Cochrane Mixed Dart League is canvassing local businesses to help sponsor the tournament. With a minimum $50 value sponsorship, the individual’s or business' name will appear on promotional posters around town and at the event.
Anyone interested in a sponsorship or more information can contact president Ellison Smith at [email protected] or call 403-851-2056.
Although darts are not as popular in Canada as perhaps in the U.K., local league member Simon Showell said Cochranites will likely have a good time watching the darts and having a beer.
The Cochrane mixed league has 16 teams, who participate at various venues throughout town from mid-September until the end of April.
They have over 100 members and are registered with Darts Alberta as a recognized league.
Showell is not fazed by critics who say the popular pub activity isn’t a real sport.
“I’ve certainly heard that time and time again,” he said. “It’s an activity as much as a sport. We’re always joking about the fact that a sport has real athletes – and I don’t know if you’d call us real athletes.”
It’s more of a social thing, he adds, and a great way to get together with friends or meet new people.
“When I first moved to Cochrane about 16 years ago, I didn’t know anyone,” he said. “You meet people and we always have a ton of fun.”
They encourage all skill levels, from beginner on up to come out and give darts a whirl.
One of the attractions of the activity is that players don’t have to wait until the game’s over to have a beer.
“Oh God, no,” he said with a laugh. “There’s a fair amount of beer going on. Beer and darts go together like peanut butter and jam.”
He has played in more serious men’s leagues, but said the Cochrane mixed league is better.
“Some leagues take themselves terribly seriously,” he said. “Frankly, they’re not anywhere near as much fun. Too much pressure.”
COVID-19 slowed the local league down a bit, as bar-and-pub activities like pool, darts and dancing were forbidden. But they’ll be raring to go this fall.
During the season, they meet every Monday night at 7:30 at various pubs around town.
Anyone interested in the local league can contact Ellison Smith at 403-851-2056 to inquire about how to get involved.
