Innovation in the sport of darts has changed little over the past 50 years and the dartboard and dart manufacturers have led the innovation. The sport as most know is played in pubs and clubs worldwide but until recently it hasn’t been very user-friendly to any disabled player.

Disability comes in many forms but the ability to stand unaided for some disabled players is either impossible or they are at a huge disadvantage against an able player. World ParaDarts has partnered with Target Darts to design and manufacture high-quality darts, boards, and accessories for professional darts players and the public for fifty years.

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Click here for dart equipment suppliers.

World ParaDarts Playing Rules

• Wheelchair players can choose to play at either the standard height board or the lower wheelchair height board, beingboard,137cm height from floor to bull. They must advise of their choice when entering the competition and confirm when registering on the day.

• Players must advise that they are playing either as a standing player or a wheelchair when they enter a competition and confirm this when registering on the day. After registration they cannot change their choice during the tournament.

• Positioning of the wheelchair at the oche- If using a standard self-propelling wheelchair with larger rear wheels the point the rear wheels touch the ground must be behind the oche. If using a different type of wheelchair, the positioning at the oche must be so that the torso is behind the oche and agreed by a tournament official on the day.

• Wheelchair players must ensure their fee do not touch the floor in front of the oche.

• Wheelchair players must sit in their chair properly and not perch on the edge so that their torso remains behind the oche.

• All players are allowed to have a retriever to collect their darts from the darts board. Players must advise the tournament officials at registration they will be using a retriever. The retriever must be provided by the player and must not disturb the play. They must stand behind the eyeline of both players and observe the same rules as the players with regards to communication during the game play. In addition, they must not drink at all whilst retrieving.

• If a player steps over the oche or the rear wheel (or any other part of the wheelchair advised by the tournament official as the oche marker) goes over the oche, if a wheelchair player puts his foot on the floor in front of the oche or perches on the front of his seat, a “no throw” will be called by the Caller/Chalker then the points scored during that throw are lost.

• Players or Retrievers must not remove their darts from the board until they are happy that the Caller/Chalker has called the correct score. If a score is disputed after the darts have been withdrawn from the board the Caller/Chalker’s decision is final on the score. World ParaDarts Playing Rules February 2021

• During a tournament if both players have thrown 60 darts, the caller must then advise them they have one more throw each. If neither player checks out after this throw, then the leg is decided on a closest to the bull, 1 dart each.

• Positioning of crutches at the oche. The WDF’s rules are silent on the positioning of crutches at the oche, therefore they can be placed behind or in front of the oche when throwing. In World ParaDarts players using crutches are also allowed to place their crutches behind or in front of the oche as long as the normal rule of feet behind the oche is adhered to. It has been deemed that the positioning of crutches does not give any advantage over players without crutches by the medical assessors .

• If a player’s darts equipment becomes damaged or lost during the course of a throw the player shall be allowed up to 3 minutes to repair or replace the equipment. As per the WDF playing rules

• If a player’s disability aids become damaged during the course of play the player shall be allowed up to 10 minutes, at the tournament organiser’s discretion to repair or replace the item.

• During the course of a match, a player has an urgent reason for leaving the playing area, the Referee may, in his or her sole discretion, allow the player to depart the playing area for up to 5 minutes and up to 10 minutes in the event of a medical reason.

• If a player wants clarification on rules or codes of practice that are affecting the game, they are playing they can in the first instance refer to the caller/chalking. If further clarification/ ruling required they can request the game is suspended until the Tournament director can be consulted and a final decision given.

• WP dress code at all events unless the tournament officials advise otherwise

• No drinking alcohol whilst playing.

• We abide by the World Darts Federation Anti-Doping Rules and members will agree to drugs testing if required by the WP

• All players must have a disability that falls within the WP Eligibility criteria as laid down by the WP

• The WP can request any player to be assessed or provide evidence of their eligibility status at any time during the year and withdraw eligibility if required.

• Players must advise the WP of any changes in their medical condition which may affect the way the player throws their darts to the WP, failure to do so may result in membership been withdrawn.

• All phones must be put on silent from when we Toe the ache to the end of the tournament (players and supporters’ phones)

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