19th November 2015
The Isle of Man darts festival is undoubtedly one of the most iconic, eagerly anticipated and best attended events in the BDO calendar. For three decades hundreds of darts enthusiasts have been flocking to the island not just to participate, not just lured by the guarantee of over £30,000 in prize money, but almost uniquely, just to be a part what many consider to be the biggest 'party event' of the year.
Okay it is fair to say that the main singles event, one of the most prestigious titles in BDO darts has been won by a couple of fairly decent players over the years, including the likes of Gary Anderson, Dave Chisnall, Ted Hankey, Scott Waites, Dennis Harbour, Steve Bunting, Robbie Green, Darryl Fitton not to mention a certain Phil Taylor whoever he is, but for hundreds of enthusiasts who make the pilgrimage every year, though obviously really important, it's not just about winning, it's also about having a great time, about having a few days away with your mates, or in many cases with your whole darts team.
In that respect the IOM darts event is a bit like the darting equivalent of the Cheltenham racing festival, where so many of those who go year after year actually book the following year before they even leave the one they're at.
Obviously for
2016, we the EDO are the events new
organisers. Following a very lengthy
and in depth tendering process we
are honoured that the IOM Government
have entrusted us with the
responsibility of moving the
Festival forward in the years ahead,
and we will be working very closely
with the Department of Economic
Development, Tourism Events’ to
ensure everybody enjoys themselves
as much, and if possible even more
than they have always done
previously.
At this stage it would be totally
remiss of us, if we were not to
publicly acknowledge the amazing
work and job done by the previous
organisers Les and Steve France. For
thirty years they were solely
responsible for making the Festival
what it is today and though, as
always happens with new incumbents,
we will be making the odd tweak here
and there, our main three priorities
will be to show the IOM government
they chose wisely, to ensuring those
who attend continue to have a great
time and importantly to preserve
then extend the legacy that Les and
Steve have given the event
New directives from the BDO about
the distribution of prize funds have
forced not just us but all
organisers to re-visit how the prize
funds are spread and if you analyse
the distribution of the prize money
and compare it with previous years
you will notice some quite
significant changes.
Prize money
has been increased for 2016 and in
total will pay out more than £30,000
and in recognition of the fact with
so many entries that the majority of
players can't get near that first
prize we have introduced a new
singles event whereby only those who
have not picked up any prize money
in the two main respective ranking
events will be allowed to enter.
Okay, the
winners of these new initiatives
won't be going home with the
prestigious title and or trophy in
their luggage, but they most
certainly will go home with extra
prize money!
It is important to us at the EDO
that we cater for all our players,
all our customers who attend the
events we organise and the more
players who return home with prize
money the happier we are.
Because the event structure is so historically proven and though we hope to introduce even more initiatives for 2017 it would be folly for us to tinker with the accepted and proven status quo in any significant way, especially with such a limited time given to promote it. We fully appreciate just how popular the men's, ladies and mixed doubles are and regulars will be pleased to know that all will be staying.
More
significantly is the ranking status
of the singles events. Last year the
main event for both men and ladies
was advertised as CAT A, this year
can we point out that both will be
CAT A+.
Might not appear a huge difference
but when it comes to picking up
those all important ranking points
it is. We are also upgrading both
the Isle of Man Classic events, with
the men's rising from CAT C to CAT B
and the ladies being upgraded from
CAT C to CAT A. Significant advances
that we are sure will go down well
with every BDO supporter, especially
as it means there will be more prize
money as well.
Other than those, players won't
notice too many changes at all, and
under the “if it isn't broke why try
mending it” philosophy why would
they.
That said there will obviously be
some, including the significant
introduction of an on line booking
service where you can all simply
enter and pay on line for all events
which has proven to be very popular
at all our events. Don't worry if
you are not comfortable in entering
in this manner though you will still
be able to enter the old fashioned
way and you'll find the contact
details if you wish to enter in this
manner on entry forms and the web
site.
But please
note that particularly for all the
ranking events, there will be no
bookings taken on the day, everyone
has to be pre-booked into these
events to allow us not only to post
the full draw sheets prior to
arrival but also to ensure we can
start on the advertised times and to
assist this online entries will
close on 3rd March.
If anyone has any questions
whatsoever be it on the events,
accommodation travel or indeed
anything else to do with any part of
the festival just pop into the
contacts page and we will do our
best to answer them for you all.
Whilst the Festival is now under our
guardianship we are very mindful
that the IOM International Darts
Festival is the players event, and
it will always remain the players
event, so equally if you have any
advice, comments or suggestions then
again please feel free to share them
with us, and please when you finish
reading this pop into, 'like' and
hopefully share the Isle of Man
Darts Festival FB page where you
will be kept up to date with all
news, and developments as well as
being able to take part in numerous
free to enter competitions.
2016
is exciting for everyone at the EDO
and we look forward to meeting many
old friends and hopefully many new
ones in March
see
you there!
Tommy
Thompson
English Darts Organisation Chairman
