MARDLE HAILS ‘GROUNDBREAKING’ DARTS SUPER VENUE

WAYNE MARDLE believes world champions will be produced at a groundbreaking new darts venue in Bristol.

The legendary pundit was left blown away after visiting Hangar 61, a huge new elite-level facility launched following the transformation of the old Patchway Sports and Social Club.

The site, backed by manufacturing giants Winmau, boasts up to 32 world-class match boards, fully equipped lanes and a state-of-the-art main stage arena capable of hosting live broadcasts.

It will also serve as the new home of the Junior Darts Corporation, providing a base for the next generation of talent. 

Mardle insists the building could shape the future of the sport. 

He told Bristol Live: “This is groundbreaking. This isn’t the norm, by the way.

“It will become the norm, because this is hopefully the blueprint of what’s to happen, but this is a facility that is predominantly for the youth players of everywhere. 

“This is going to be the hub, so they’re going to have the biggest and best, even World Championship qualifiers here.  

“This is going to be the main place for the youth that are just starting out, or the seasoned pros, by the time they get to 17, 18. 

“There’s going to be World Champions coming through these doors, of that there’s no doubt. And when you look around, it’s not hard to realise it’s a world-class facility – it really is. Back in the day, this didn’t exist.

The project has been driven by Steven Brown, founder and chairman of the JDC, after the organisation outgrew its previous base in Congresbury amid darts’ recent boom.

Brown admits the launch marks a major milestone. 

He added: “This is a hugely important day for the JDC and for junior darts in the UK. 

“Hangar61 gives us a permanent home that matches the ambition of our programme and the talent of the young players coming through.  

“We’ve created a facility that not only supports elite development but is rooted in the local community and open to the next generation discovering the sport for the first time. 

“I’m an ex-foster carer, I’ve fostered for 15 years. For me, giving the kids somewhere meaningful to go to and somewhere they can progress and feel confident and social, really.  

“I think society is lacking social skills and darts is the perfect vehicle for that. 

“It’s quite interesting to see a typical pub game brought into a different environment. I think darts has moved on so much.

“I think the old cliche of it being a pub game is slowly disappearing.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.