Two Pictou County dart players headed to the Youth Nationals
Representing Nova Scotia, Dillon MacLellan and Abbey Harty of Pictou County will be heading to Toronto to play darts on the national stage.
The Senior Boys Dart Champion and Junior Girls Dart Champion for Nova Scotia, MacLellan and Harty will be two of 10 players going to the Canadian Youth Nationals this May.
Both of them have attended nationals once before, but because they were alternates that time, they didn’t have the chance to play many games.
“I think it will be better this year,” says MacLellan. “Because obviously there are more tournaments for me to play in so there is more opportunity and just playing more you kind of get a rhythm going and play better.”
MacLellan, who is 18 years old, started playing darts when he was about 14. He got started because his whole family plays or has played darts.
He tries to play every night if he can, not slowing down during COVID.
“COVID kind of stopped
a lot of stuff, but there is an online type of scene for darts which really helped,” he says.
Using his webcam he was able to play against people all over the world. He also has built-in competitors right in his family tree, often playing
his father and younger brother, who just recently took up darts as well.
MacLellan was introduced to Team Nova Scotia because his dad use to try out for the adult teams, and when he found out there was a youth side, MacLellan decided to try out.
The first year he didn’t make it but came close, which encouraged him. The next year he got on the team.
Playing for four years now, MacLellan says what he likes most about darts is the people.
“No one is there to keep you down, you know what I mean, everyone’s definitely there to help you out and help you get better.”
Harty also likes the community aspect of the sport and is excited for the large crowd nationals provide.
“I am looking forward to meeting more people and seeing most of my friends,” says the 14-year-old.
Harty started to play when she was 8 years old, she plays weekly in Westville in the Pictou County youth dart league.
Like MacLellan, darts are a family affair for Harty with it being a pastime for many of her family members.
Going to nationals as an alternate last time was a good experience for Harty and this year going in and being able to play more games she anticipates doing well.