"Possibly the most southerly 180 ever called" - Huw Ware supports darts growth in the Armed Forces as he recalls incredible trip to Falkland Islands

PDC darts referee Huw Ware was fortunate enough to have the chance to visit the Falkland Islands last August, as he showed his support for darts in the Armed Forces.

As a referee, Ware is lucky enough to travel around the world to call the scores and games of some of the biggest matches in the world. He was fortunate enough to call the second part of the 2025 World Darts Championship final, in which Luke Littler made history by becoming the youngest World Champion at just 17-years-old. However, of all the places he has gone to and events he has called at, this is one of the more unique ones.

Ware was invited to an exhibition of the HMS Queen Elizabeth in October, representing darts as it became an official sport in the Armed Forces. Leading on from this, he was then asked, along with his father, to come down to the BFSAI (British Forces South Atlantic Islands) in the Falklands to aid the inauguration of their Mount Pleasant Complex Darts Club.

"After telling them my father's story of being on board the HMS Antelope in 1982 during the Falklands War when it was sunk, they also invited him to come with me so he could give a talk to the troops about his experiences and see the Falklands 43 years after conflict," Ware said. "I presented to the troops two Winmau dartboards, two stands, Polaris lighting plus Winmau and Red Dragon darts, flights and stems to get the new club started. The base also put on a military dog show for us and I presented a dartboard for them to have in their department too."

He was on hand to call the final in the Seafish Chandlery Open, showing off his iconic 180 call in a completly new part of the world.

"On our second day, my father and I went into the town of Port Stanley and visited one of the biggest tournaments - the Seafish Chandlery Open, which had 125 entries! They are crazy about darts on the Falklands. I refereed the final where there was a 180, possibly the most southerly 180 ever called, and I also hosted the presentation."

Among having tours of military boats and going to look at penguins, Ware was made to work in 'darts-themed circuit training', testing his skills among the troops.

"The next morning I took part in a darts-themed circuit training with the Supply & Movement Squadron and Port 460 troops of the BFSAI. We did darts-themed circuits with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen categories, and we had to do three sets of 20, three sets of 19, two sets of 12 and overall 501 reps. After that we had a tour of the HMS Forth, where I presented a dartboard to the first lieutenant on the bridge of the Forth to have in their mess."

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which Ware made the most of, echoing his thanks and gratitude. "It was a life-changing experience, and I'm so thankful to the PTIs of the BFSAI led by Corporal Scott Worthing who treated myself, and more importantly, my father, like royalty. We couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity for closure from the terrible conflict in 1982, and for my father to meet those who thanked him for saving their lives and making them better than they otherwise would have been.

"On the darts front, it was my pleasure to provide the base with Winmau equipment to help the new Mount Pleasant Complex Darts Club - I hope the club will be a great success!"