PDC and JDC extend partnership: clear pathway for young players to the world elite

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) will continue to work closely with the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) in the coming years. Both organizations have extended their partnership and aim to keep investing in the development of young darts players worldwide. The renewed agreement further strengthens the pathway for youth players to reach the very top of the sport.

The JDC has been the official youth partner of the PDC for over a decade. In that period, youth darts has undergone tremendous growth. Whereas young players once had to rely on local leagues, the JDC now offers a clear and structured route to the highest level of the sport.

Within the organization, talented players get the chance to develop step by step. It often starts at one of the many JDC Academies, where children are introduced to darts at a young age and can improve their skills. They can then take part in an extensive international competition program.

A key principle of the JDC is that every event uses an open system. This means that, in principle, any child, anywhere in the world, gets the chance to test themselves against other talents and progress to bigger stages.

The partnership with the PDC plays a crucial role in this. In recent years, several finals of JDC tournaments have already been played on the stage of major PDC events. That tradition will continue in the future, allowing young players to gain early experience on the sport’s biggest stages.

In addition to the sporting partnership, both organizations also collaborate on education. The JDC Education Team remains involved with the Bullseye Maths numeracy program, a PDC initiative that boosts children’s math skills through darts. These sessions are combined with the JDC’s own educational programs.

According to JDC CEO Darren Barson, the collaboration with the PDC goes far beyond the visible moments on television. “We are delighted that the PDC are continuing to support the JDC in so many areas,” he told the PDC. “The relationship we have, although a partnership, is very much a working relationship away from the staged events as well."

Barson stresses that the cooperation spans numerous areas. “We really do value the support and expertise the PDC brings to the table. What people don’t see is the day-to-day work between us both in many areas including community projects, media, regulation and inclusion of our players in their events.”

The JDC has now established an extensive competition structure. There is an Advanced Tour for 64 players, alongside the Foundation Tour, the Girls Series, and the JPL. In addition, various knockout tournaments are scheduled throughout the year, including the JDC Volts, the Super 16, the European Open, and the World Cup. “I am also delighted that we can extend further support to our own affiliate nations through this partnership as we grow.”

The youth scene has once again showcased the depth of talent in recent times. Mitchell Lawrie recently crowned himself winner of the Junior World Darts Championship. That final was played on the iconic stage at Alexandra Palace in London, a dream venue for every darts player.

There was also recent success for a rising star at the prestigious Winmau Junior World Masters. The title went to Kaya Baysal, who proved the best in the final at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

The JDC also proves to be an excellent breeding ground for future stars. More and more former youth players are making the step to the PDC’s professional circuit. The most famous example is perhaps Luke Littler, who has since risen to world number one.

But other former JDC players have also made their mark, such as Keane Barry, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, and the Dutchman Jurjen van der Velde. Thanks to the partnership, young players continue to receive opportunities at major international tournaments. JDC players can qualify through the system for the Winmau World Youth Championship and the qualifying rounds of the Winmau World Masters, among others. Once players turn sixteen, they are also encouraged to further build their careers on the Development Tour.

According to PDC CEO Matt Porter, the extended partnership fits perfectly within the organization’s broader strategy. “This new agreement brings our partnership with the JDC into line with our global affiliate tours as we continue to invest in developing the pathways for players at all ages around the world.”

He sees the JDC’s academies in particular as a key driver behind the growth of youth darts. “The JDC are at the forefront of this through their ever-growing Academy network, providing a structured and safe playing environment to introduce young players to our sport whilst also offering opportunities to begin playing competitively in their events."

The PDC chief describes it as a particularly positive development for the sport. “The JDC have done an enormous amount of work over the past decade and are enjoying a boom in growth of their global Academies and participation in JDC events. These are exciting times for everyone involved in the sport!”