Five Fort McMurray dart players will be aiming for bullseye at Alberta’s first-ever Masters Games.
Andrew Wall and Gilbert Jaleco both qualified for the games on the men’s side, while Crystal Ash, Stephanie Higdon and Marlena Bennett will represent the women.
Wall, who’s only played the game for about two years – tells Mix News he’s just looking forward to competing with the best.
“Knowing your ins and outs, what you’re capable of hitting. I basically just want to play the best darts I can, have a great time. Obviously winning is the goal, but if I don’t, I just want to make sure there’s nothing I could’ve done differently.”
Wall notes there’s a lot of focus that comes with the game.
“You have to really be in a certain place in your mind to complete the process, so to speak,” Wall said. “Many dart players will tell you they shot the best darts of their lives and still lost. It’s challenging on many levels but that’s part of the game that keeps you coming back and trying to better yourself.”
Normally, two players from each zone in the province are picked to go to a competition on both the men’s and women’s sides.
In the case of the women, three players made the final cut.
Ash, who’s currently ranked 2nd in Fort McMurray says she’s excited to compete in a tournament of this calibre.
“I want to see how far everyone else has improved and I want to see all the girls from Fort McMurray to go as far as we can. Winning is not everything but just to go and participate and have the bragging rights is phenomenal.”
The games run from Thursday through Saturday in Rocky Mountain House in Clearwater County.