Gian Van Veen helps inspire next generation with Bullseye Maths session

Gian van Veen, one of the fastest-rising talents in professional darts, recently lent his support to the PDC’s Bullseye Maths initiative during World Matchplay week in Blackpool. The Dutchman, who reached the quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens before falling to James Wade, took part in a special session at St John’s Catholic Primary School in Poulton-le-Fylde.

The reigning World Youth Champion joined Year 6 pupils for an engaging and interactive lesson combining darts-themed maths activities with practical challenges at the oche — all designed to help children develop numeracy skills in a fun, hands-on way.

The school visit formed part of a wider programme of Bullseye Maths events held throughout the week, with further sessions taking place inside the iconic Winter Gardens and at Fleetwood Town’s Poolfoot Farm complex. In total, around 150 children took part in the initiative.

The sessions were delivered by the Junior Darts Corporation’s education team, with fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena also getting involved. Wattimena worked alongside pupils from Lever House Primary School, while other sessions welcomed groups from Fleetwood Town in the Community, the Manchester United Foundation, Burnley FC in the Community, and the Kellogg’s Football Camp.

Van Veen reflected on the experience to the PDC, saying: "The sport here in the UK is in really good hands and I really enjoyed the Bullseye Maths session. I started playing darts when I was about nine or ten years old – about their age – so I hope that me and the other PDC players who are involved with Bullseye Maths hopefully inspire those kids about how much fun playing darts is and how it can be helpful to your school career as well. Darts really helps their maths – it has done for me in the past."

He reiterated that sentiment when speaking to Dartsnews.com after his win over Danny Noppert at the Winter Gardens. “I really enjoyed a couple of hours with the kids. The sport here in the UK is in really good hands. Hopefully me – and the other PDC players involved – can inspire them and show them how fun darts is. It helps with maths, too – it did for me!”