YOUTH DART LEAGUESNiagara Frontier Youth DartsYouth Darts have been around the Niagara Region in one form or another since the early '80's, but it wasn't until 1987 that a Youth League was formed. That year Sandi Chard and her husband, Gary, (Family Recreation) organized the St.Catharines Youth Dart League with only 4 members at the Queen Elizabeth Center. As the League began to grow they eventually had to adopt a new home and name. With over 30 members from around the Peninsula, including the Hamilton area. The St.Catharines Youth Dart League, moved to the R.C.L, Branch 350 in Port Dalhousie.
The Chard’s hard work and determination paid off in ‘89 and ‘90 when Jeff Kompon (Niagara Falls) repeated back to back firsts in the Singles and Doubles Events at the Ontario Youth Championships and the Canadian Youth Nationals. He went on to play with some of the World's top Dart players winning numerous titles and Events throughout the U.S, Canada, and Europe.
In March, '93 the St.C.Y.D.L. hosted The Ontario Youth Championships in Niagara Falls. David Munro (Niagara Falls) and Jeff Butt (St.Catharines), finished first in Junior Doubles with David finishing in the top three in Singles. Jamie Munro, David’s sister, and Lesley Lawrence finished 12th and 13th in the Ladies Junior Singles that same year.
Due to expansion of their business, Sandi transferred the Organization to the Niagara Frontier Dart League (Men's League) in the fall of ‘93 but remained as League consultant. Brian Wipper became the League Director starting the season with 25 youth, playing in three age groups, Novice, Junior, and Senior. Once more the name of the League changed to The Niagara Frontier Youth Dart League.
At the 1994 Ontario’s in Toronto, David Munro, and Keith MacCuish finished first in the Junior Doubles. David also placed Second in Ontario in the Singles. He went on to play in Regina at the Nationals finishing 8th overall in Canada. In David's last year as a Youth player, he was awarded with the prestigious honour of "Sportsman of the Year" by Darts Ontario at the 1997 Provincials.
In recent years the Youth program has expanded to encompass Fort Erie, Welland and Port Colborne. Since these two new Leagues have started the competition amongst the youth has become stronger. In 1996/97 the combined number of youth representing the Niagara Peninsula at the Ontario's in Kitchener was around 40 players. These Leagues continue to expand in numbers as the interest grows in the younger players.
Fort Erie Youth Dart LeagueIn 1994 the N.F.Y.D.L. became affiliated with a Youth League in Fort Erie, Ontario. This group, under the Direction of Jean Bremner, became the Frontier’s sister League That same year the Fort Erie Youth Dart League hosted the Zone 6b qualifiers for the Niagara Peninsula, a first for the Fort Erie Legion and the players. The Frontier League had 10 of their group qualify and Fort Erie had 11 go to the Provincial Championships in Toronto in March. The experience of this Event only served to heighten the enthusiasim of Jean's players, as the following year they qualified 16 out her group. Each time out, FEYDL members have finished in the top 16 in Ontario. David Paterak placed joint third in 1996, his sister Missy placed 10th overall in Junior Doubles.
Welland Youth Dart LeagueThe Fall Season of 1996 saw the start of a brand new Youth Dart League in the Welland area with about 20 young players. They expect to produce many enthusiastic young dart players. The League operates out of R.C.L. Branch 4 on Sunday afternoons between 1:00 pm and 3:30. A first time League player Kris Scheaffer qualified to go to the Provincials in the 95'/96'season. This year both he and his sister, Tricia, qualified to go to the Provincials in Kitchener, along with Seven other members. Al and Liz enjoy the support of the community and many of the parents who are looking forward to another successful season.
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