Colin Lloyd Urges Top Women In Sport To Seize ‘Fantastic Opportunity’ At PDC Women’s Series | Darts News

The PDC Women’s Series opening weekend takes place in Milton Keynes this weekend, and former world number one Colin Lloyd urged players to support what promises to be a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for the game ladies.

The PDC broke the news of an expanded women’s series of three weekends and 12 events in July, although the four opening events in Niedernhausen – which were due to take place in August – have been canceled due to the registration of only 22 players.

However, those events have been replaced with a reworked schedule that will see the cream of women’s football face off over two weekends in September and October, with three tournaments taking place each of the four days.

A total of £ 60,000 in prize money will be offered in all 12 events, with two additional spots available at both the PDC World Championship and Grand Slam Darts, and Lloyd believes this marks a defining time for the future. female darts.

« It’s a fantastic opportunity for women’s darts »

“Just look at qualifying last year – it was absolutely fantastic,” Lloyd told the Darts Show podcast.

“There has been a fabulous turnout from women – women who are already used to playing darts and young women who want some of what senior players have been up to over the past few years.

“Yes, it’s not cheap to play in these qualifiers, but there is money to be made, and there is a place for the World Championship and a place for the Grand Slam to be won.

“There is an opportunity there, an opportunity to play on the biggest stage in the world and to play in the Grand Slam. It’s a fantastic opportunity for women’s darts. The PDC stepped in and said, « Look, we can try. »

“Me personally, years ago on the men’s side, if I had had these opportunities, I would have tried to find the money somewhere.

“At the end of the day, an individual has to do what they think is beneficial for themselves, but if things don’t work out, the PDC is a business.

“They can turn around and say, ‘Look, we tried. It didn’t work, we hit each other on the head ‘. It could happen. « 

Sherrock showcased his great credentials on stage with another superb performance at the World Series in Copenhagen

Fallon Sherrock – fresh out of her run at the Nordic Darts Masters final in Copenhagen last weekend – will headline a group featuring four-time female world champion Lisa Ashton and indomitable Deta Hedman .

Ashton currently holds a PDC Tour Card, while Sherrock beat world No.5 Dimitri Van den Bergh in Copenhagen, before scaring Michael van Gerwen in a thrilling final.

However, the two-time major winner of the PDC questioned whether some of the hopefuls thought they could compete with some of the sport’s leaders.

« World Class » Players Must Believe To Achieve Their Dreams

“Fallon Sherrock has done his part. Let’s not forget Lisa Ashton – she went through Q-School and got a Tour card. Deta Hedman also qualified to play at the World Championship, ”added Lloyd.

« These are three very, very big names, and I sometimes wonder if some of the ladies wouldn’t be supporting themselves against these players? »

Lisa Ashton became the first woman to win a PDC Tour card at Q-School last January

“It is the nature of the beast. You look at the entrees there and you’re like, ‘Is it really worth going there?’

“If you have dreams and desires to be a professional darts player, and you want to travel the world playing darts, participating in televised events, yes you do!

“Get that negativity out of your head, get some positivity in your game. It’s about stepping up. What these ladies also need to think about is the exposure that they will get as well.

“They’re going to have TV exposure, they’re going to have newspaper exposure. Look at Fallon Sherrock – she got a congratulatory message from Billie Jean King. An absolute legend in the world of sport.

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“For that to happen is incredible, so there is an opportunity there. Do they want it? Hope they will, because when I worked there last year it was an absolute privilege and a pleasure to be there as there were some world class darts. « 

It’s not all about big guns

Sherrock, Ashton and Hedman will be among the favorites to seal places at Alexandra Palace and Aldersley Leisure Village, but there are a host of other decorated stars desperate for a hit at the big time.

Three-time world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova could be in attendance, while former Lakeside finalists Corrine Hammond and Lorraine Winstanley are expected to feature, having participated regularly in the Challenge Tour in recent years.

Lloyd praised the in-depth strength of women’s football, insisting that there is a plethora of names that can challenge Milton Keynes and Barnsley in the coming weeks.

Former BDO World Finalist Lorraine Winstanley has won scalps at Q-School and Challenge Tour in recent years

“There is Beau Greaves. You have Lorraine Winstanley – an always dangerous player. Aileen de Graaf from the Netherlands. You cannot write off Dutch players.

“There’s young Katie Sheldon from Ireland – she’s a great little player. Lorraine Hyde from Scotland. It’s not just big guns.

« I hear that Trina Gulliver is back on the dart board healthy and throwing some good stuff, so it would be nice to see Trina up there again, and hopefully she can regain that competitive edge. » that she used to have, because she can throw a wrench in the works.

Sky Sports Darts commentator Laura Turner will aim to deliver the Ooche to Milton Keynes this weekend

“There are so many players in the women’s system who can cause problems. Our own Laura Turner – how can I get through this without mentioning our Laura!

“These players are all dangerous in their time, all more than capable of causing upheaval. I thought it was great last year and it will be an absolute pleasure for me to be there again. « 

The darts are back on your Air sports screens, with the seven-day single double-start World Grand Prix from Leicester’s Morningside Arena live from October 3 as Gerwyn Price defends the title he won last year