This coming Tuesday, pubs and clubs are set for an influx of patrons as the Goulburn District Darts Association makes its return to competition.
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Due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, the GDDA was forced to stop its 2020 competition halfway through the season. But association president, Craig Brown, said five of its seven regular venues are back open for business and ready to host the competition.
"We were just into the second half of the comp, before we were interrupted with the lockdowns," Brown said.
"Because all our venues are licensed premises, once the lockdown happened it stopped all darts.
"I went round to all the seven venues and there were only two that couldn't provide us a venue for the restart, so those games will be transferred to the Workers Club."
With a sport such as darts, which is usually played in crowded areas and in close proximity to your opponent, Brown said it is exceptionally important that the remaining coronavirus guidelines are followed.
"As with everyone, we'll be following every COVID rule; they'll be in place until we beat the disease," he said.
"There's just no way around it, and I'm saying to players if they're sick, don't go to darts.
"If you're fearing anything about it, they just shouldn't play. We're treating it with kid gloves at the moment."
As with many local sports, there is much more than the competitive aspect which appeals to players.
Brown said the local competition serves as an opportunity for its players to come and socialise and release stress - one which has been sorely missed in recent months.
"The majority of the players are keen as mustard to get back into it," he said. "It is quite a release for a lot of people, they get out on a Tuesday night and play darts and have a few beers.
"It's a great social side too, it's like a fraternity, our darts association. It's like a big family. When we have our presentation night, it's one big get-together."
12 rounds of the competition had been played before the lockdown, and Brown hopes they can fit the remaining 12 in, which will be followed by finals and then five weeks of the association championships.
There are currently 14 teams in the competition, but Brown said there is always potential to have more players and teams involved.
Anybody interested in playing darts in Goulburn can contact the Goulburn District Darts Association through its Facebook page.
The GDDA local competition is set to return on Tuesday, July 14.
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