Total darts

“I think by winning the Embassy/Lakeside in 1998 the people in Holland went crazy for the sport of darts,” admits Raymond van Barneveld, four-times World Darts champion. His first victory was arguably the most important of the four, for not only did his win against Richie Burnett capture the imagination of a watching nation, it also inspired a new generation of young talent.
“The public still see me as the player who put darts on the map for Holland,” continues Barney. “That year 4.5 million viewers saw my final live on sbs6 in Holland - we have a population of only 16 million people! And if you realise that there were 7,000 active players in 1997, now we have about 50,000 people who play in competition – we’re now just behind football and speed skating.
“The TV was important because without the cameras darts wasn’t that popular,” he continues. “The youth is coming up to the top now, too, and they are winning many youth championships, like European titles for example.”
Last December the fruits of Barneveld’s labour in 1998 began to emerge, with then 21 year old and 100/1ranked outsider Jelle Klaasen defeating his idol in the tournament that kicked it all off.
“Raymond made darts in Holland because he won Lakeside four times,” admits Klaasen. “His success means there are more youth players now and Holland has a good youth system. They put on good tournaments for young players and you don’t get that anywhere else.”
“The Dutch organisation has arranged ranking tournaments with all youth categories taking part for a number of years,” explains Barney. “With this we have got many European and World Champions in our country.”
Barneveld predicts another Dutch victory won't be too far away. “Michael van Gerwen is the biggest star at this moment. This young lad is only 17 years of age and he has already won so many titles worldwide,” says Barneveld. “He is an amazing player with no fear. I think he will become the next Lakeside Champion.”
Van Gerwen and Klassen represent a new breed of dartsman. Unlike the stereotypical beer-swilling fore-fathers Holland’s good looking young stars are adding a degree of professionalism – “I'm young, I'm fit and I don't have a belly,” declared Klaasen last December. So much so in fact, that they’re developing a loyal following among some of the country’s most famous faces. “I was curious to see it [the Lakeside World Championship] from a close distance,” remarked Chelsea’s Arjen Robben at Lakeside last year, and like Chelsea’s Dutch winger, Marco van Basten and Frank de Boer, not to mention thousands of orange-wig wearing Dutchman, are also loyal followers of Barneveld. They join some esteemed company, with Queen Beatrix also among Barney’s support. Beatrix sent Ray a personal letter of congratulation within minutes of his victory in 2003, while the Dutch Sports Minister, Clemence van Dorp flew over congratulate Ray personally.
And with support like that, expect to see more Dutchman at the oche this year and beyond…