The World Darts Federation (WDF) is the international governing body for the sport of amateur darts. Established in 1976, it works to promote, regulate, and develop darts globally across both the men’s and women’s games. The WDF’s mission is to nurture talent at the grassroots level and uphold the sport’s integrity through standardized rules and organized competitions.
Formation and Early Goals
The WDF was created to foster unity and standardization in darts during a period when the sport was experiencing global growth but lacked cohesive governance. With the rapid rise of darts, particularly in the United Kingdom, a need emerged to form an organization that could support the development of the sport internationally. The WDF was founded with representatives from 15 countries, aiming to create a unified set of rules for darts and to promote the sport beyond its traditional strongholds.
Relationship with the BDO
The relationship between the WDF and the British Darts Organisation (BDO) has been historically significant since the BDO was instrumental in establishing the WDF. Many of the early officials of the WDF were also involved with the BDO, and the two organizations shared goals related to the promotion of darts. The BDO, focused primarily on overseeing professional darts within the UK, worked in conjunction with the WDF to expand the sport’s reach globally. For many years, the BDO’s major tournaments, such as the BDO World Darts Championship, were also sanctioned by the WDF, which meant that these tournaments were recognized as official world championships by the global governing body.
Emergence of the PDC and Its Impact
The landscape of professional darts shifted dramatically with the creation of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in 1992. This new body emerged from a split within the BDO, with several top players and promoters seeking more professional management and greater prize money. The split was contentious and created a dual power structure within professional darts. While the PDC rapidly established itself as the premier organization for professional players, the WDF continued to work closely with the BDO to promote amateur darts.
WDF Tournaments and Championships
The WDF sanctions a wide array of international competitions that cater to various levels of competitive play, including:
- WDF World Cup**: The most prestigious of the WDF events, held biennially, featuring men’s, women’s, and youth competitions in singles, pairs, and team formats. This tournament is a global gathering of the darts community, emphasizing the sport’s international appeal.
- WDF Europe Cup**: Held on alternate years to the World Cup, focusing on European countries and featuring a similar mix of singles, pairs, and team events.
- Continental Cups**: Including the WDF Americas Cup, WDF Asia-Pacific Cup, and WDF Africa Cup, these tournaments focus on promoting darts in specific continents, aiding in the sport’s development and providing competitive platforms for players from these regions.
These tournaments play a crucial role in the WDF’s mission to promote the sport’s amateur side and provide competitive opportunities for players outside the professional circuit.
Notable Players in WDF History
While the WDF primarily focuses on amateur darts, it has been a starting point for many players who later achieved fame on the professional circuit. Notable players who have competed in WDF-sanctioned events include:
- John Part**: The Canadian darts player who emerged from the WDF scene to become a world champion in both the BDO and PDC circuits.
- Martin Adams**: An English darts player known affectionately as “Wolfie,” Adams has been a fixture in WDF competitions, bringing a high level of skill and sportsmanship to the amateur stage.
- Trina Gulliver**: Known as the “Golden Girl” of darts, Gulliver has been a dominant force in women’s darts and competed in numerous WDF events throughout her career, promoting women’s participation in the sport.