CORNWALL, Ontario – Two local dart players will be representing our city at the National Darts Championship in Saskatoon in June.
Darlene Van Sleeuwen, who has represented Ontario three times prior to this year in 2007, 2014 and 2015 will play in the adult division. Van Sleeuwen, who was the Ontario champion in 2014, has been playing semi-professionally since 2006 after developing an interest for the sport in her late teens.
“I like travelling, meeting people..the competition, the sport of it; it’s just fun,” said Van Sleeuwen.
Joining her in the youth division is up-and-comer Donovan Pilon, who represented the province last year and has played in tournaments as far as Trinidad and England.
Norm McDonald and John Lascelle held a fundraising tournament at the Navy Veterans Club on Saturday, May 11 to help support Van Sleeuwen to nationals. Players agreed that the sport can be costly and are always looking for sponsors.
“We have nine draws just for fun, raising money for Darlene’s trip to Saskatoon. You pay $12 to play…and there are 32 players,” said Lascelle.
I think it’s a great sport and everyone should give it a try,” said Van Sleeuwen.
