Darts Federation of Australia

First Group Draws for International Darts League

The Hague May 17 - 25, 2003

THE DRAW FOR THE FIRST GROUP MATCHES:

The Netherlands Darts Federation tournament involving the best 32 Dutch ranked players to decide the final place in IDL was won by Rick Hofstra, a 25 year old Dutch International. He was a member of the Spring Cup team of 2001 and 2002 and was best player in the 2002 team event - winning 47 of the 49 legs he played, including a 5-2 victory over Erik Clarys (Belgium). He now becomes the 32nd player to complete the field.

Australia's two representatives in Tony David and Steve Duke are really looking forward to this event. They are joined by New Zealand's Peter Hunt and are looking to bring the title "Downunder".

The draw for the initial Group Stage is as follows:

A:
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Co Stompé (Netherlands)
Rick Hofstra (Netherlands)
Bob Taylor (Scotland) (left)

B:
Andy Fordham (England)
Jan vd Rassel (Netherlands)
John Sneijers (Belgium)
Darryl Fitton (England)

C:
Mervyn King (England)
Steve Duke (Australia)
Tony West (England)
Brian Derbyshire (England)

D:
Tony O'Shea (England) (left)
Shaun Greatbatch (England)
Peter Hunt (New Zealand)
Vincent vd Voort (Netherlands)

E:
Martin Adams (England)
Albertino Essers (Netherlands)
Robert Wagner (Austria)
James Wade (England)

F:
Tony Eccles (England)
Colin Monk (England) (left)
Jarkko Komula (Finland)
Ritchie Davies (Wales)

G:
Tony David (Australia)
Andy Smith (England)
Gary Robson (England)
Erik Clarys (Belgium)

H:
Ted Hankey (England)
Matt Clark (England)
Brian Sørensen (Denmark)
John Walton (England) (left)

Dutch TV station SBS-6, established as the No.1 darts broadcaster in The Netherlands, where it already screens three major tournaments featuring BDO/WDF players - the World Professional Darts Championships at Lakeside Country Club, World Darts Trophy in Utrecht and the Winmau World Masters at the Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington - will be broadcasting the International Darts League over NINE CONSECUTIVE DAYS in The Netherlands and greater Europe.

This means that in 2003 alone, SBS-6 will be broadcasting some THIRTY DAYS of BDO/WDF darts to Dutch and European TV audiences of between THREE and FIVE MILLION!

And, in addition to the prize money, which includes a Champions cheque in excess of £20,000 - the International Darts League will have a very special prize for a 9-Dart 501:

Any player hitting the magical 9-Dart checkout will be driving away in a brand new NISSAN ALMERA TINO!

Promoted by Schoofs Management & Advice Bureau and played in The Uithof, a venue with a 2,000 plus capacity in The Hague, International Darts League is a new and exciting men's tournament carrying valuable British Darts Organisation ranking points, and will feature the top twenty-eight BDO/WDF players.

As a top-rated tournament, it is appropriate that International Darts League will be played in Champions League style, with an opening eight groups of four players each competing in Round Robin style over the best of 11 Leg matches. Following the initial Round Robin the two best players in each group will go forward to a new Round Robin series. This time there will be four groups of four players. Matches will be best of 13 legs. The best two players in each group will go forward to the quarterfinals, which will be the traditional knockout cup system.

QUARTER FINALS best of 7 Sets.

SEMI FINALS best of 11 sets.

FINAL Best of 15 Sets.

All Sets will be best of 5 legs

"The International Darts League will provide one of the toughest competitive challenges in World Darts for the top BDO/WDF players", says Olly Croft of the British Darts Organisation. "It will be an endurance test at the very highest level of our sport, and the eventual winner will know he's come through a true darts challenge.

"We are delighted to be adding IDL to our calendar of majors in this our 30th Anniversary Year. Forget the 'Premier League', this and our other major televised events throughout the year, puts the BDO/WDF very firmly at the top of the Champions League of World Darts".

PRIZE MONEY:

2003 CHAMPION 30,000 EUROS

RUNNER-UP 15,000 EUROS

JOINT THIRD 7,500 EUROS

JOINT FIFTH 4,500 EUROS

2nd GROUP LOSERS 3,000 EUROS

1st GROUP LOSERS 2,000 EUROS

HIGHEST CHECKOUT 1,000 EUROS

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