SOUTAR REVEALS TWO MAJOR CHANGES HE WOULD MAKE AS PDC BOSS

ALAN SOUTAR has urged the PDC to do more to support players off the oche and called for changes to the Euro Tour format.

The Scots star believes the rapid growth of the sport, combined with bigger prize money, means players are now dealing with pressures they are not always equipped to handle. 

Soots reckons better education and guidance is needed to help players navigate life as professionals. 

He told the Weekly Dartscast: “I just think the players, PDPA, PDC side — there’s a lot that could be done for education of the players or just looking after the players a little bit better. 

“There’s been a lot of stuff about people going down the wrong path and getting banned, or people having tax problems or things like that. 

“I didn’t know any of that stuff before. You know, tax stuff and owning your own company and running a business yourself because of all the tax implications and things. 

“But there are things in place. Now, PDPA do have things there, but I just think more of that.

“But they do it at the ProTour. So, when you’re going to a ProTour, you’re actually trying to prepare for that day.

“And I don’t think you want to speak to the accountant or to speak to the people that are there to give you the advice. 

“You’re there for the three, four hours before to get ready for darts and, you know, you’ve got a set routine that you want. So, I think that side of it, just a bit more protection and education and maybe an arm around the players. 

“Just to, you know — I think it is changing. Darts is changing because there’s so much money involved and it’s so professional now. The setups and the standard of each event that you go into, you get surprised.” 

The world No.53 also called for changes to the Euro Tour, believing the current structure is not giving enough opportunities to players outside the very top tier. 

The top 16 players in the Order of Merit receive byes straight to the second round at European Tour events, instead of the top 16 from the ProTour, who will have to compete in the opening round.  

The remaining competitors have to come through three qualifying matches before even reaching the first round, where they then have to play again to progress. 

Soutar added: “But obviously, the Euro Tour — please put it back. Put it back the way it was and let some of us, some of us that would qualify, go to these events because the top guys that don’t go to the events, they changed it for them and they don’t even go. 

“So, put it back the way it was and let some of the guys like me and Cameron Crabtree and Karel Sedlacek and all these other guys, Ryan Meikle, get some TV time. Even Madars Razma — let him get on once or twice just for fun.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.