Inside the WDF

Inside the WDF Episode #69 - Darlene van Sleeuwen, Brenda Moreau

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by two of Canada's leading female players, Darlene van Sleeuwen and Brenda Moreau. Darlene (0:49) calls in to discuss qualifying for Lakeside through the regional ranking table, how she found out she'd qualified, the fundraising efforts in her local community, how she got into darts, her experiences playing for the Canadian national team, her thoughts on a nickname and the discussions around her walk-on song. Klondike Open champion Brenda (16:07) then talks about her victory in Alberta, the emotional phone call to her dad about her qualification for the World Masters, the declining darts numbers in the North West Territories, playing in the Americas Cup and her indigenous background. There's also a review of the British Open. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #68 - Thibault Tricole, Anca Zijlstra, Richard Veenstra

In this week's show, Andrew is joined by three players who won titles in Denmark - Thibault Tricole, Anca Zijlstra and Richard Veenstra. Thibault (1:02) discusses booking his spot at Lakeside, being the first Frenchman to play in a World Championships, his experiences with soft tip, the nine days that kick-started his career in 2019 and wanting to put France on the darts map. Anca (20:59) talks her Denmark Open win, the extra motivation she has at the moment, the standard of the women's game right now and why she opted out of the 2021 Women's Siers. Richard (41:19) then drops by to talk his Denmark Masters win, breaking through at Lakeside in 2016, his background in football, where his nickname and walk-on song came from and his Euro Tour debut earlier this year. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #67 - Nick Rolls

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by WDF Secretary General Nick Rolls. The pair discuss Nick getting back to calling duties in Selsey and Denmark, the players who've impressed him most since the circuit resumed, the announcement of the 2022 WDF World Championships prize fund, why boosting the women's prize share was a priority, whether he feels the WDF are getting the darts media recognition they deserve, the cancellation of the 2021 World Masters, and clarification on whether women are eligible to play in both the PDC and WDF World Championships. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #66 - Raymond Smith, John Imrie

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by Australia's Raymond Smith and Faroe Islands-born thrower John 'Fear the Haggis' Imrie.

Raymond (0:53) calls in to discuss his recent North Queensland Classic victory, his semi-retirement and battle with depression since playing at Ally Pally in 2018, how he got into the sport originally, getting his son KY involved, his self-devised practice game Frustration, whether he's thought about a Lakeside return and what it meant to wear the green and gold of Australia in WDF cups. 

John (27:15) stops by to talk his impressive breakthrough in 2021 at the age of 55, his plans on the WDF tour for the rest of 2021, where his nickname came from, spending 7 months homeless down in Devon, how darts has always been a constant in his life, wanting to play at Lakeside and the aim of giving something back to the Faroe Islands. 

Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #65 - Neil Duff, Aileen de Graaf

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by two players who've won three ranking titles in September between them - Neil Duff and Aileen de Graaf. Northern Ireland international Duff (0:57) talks his maiden ranking event win in the England National Singles, adding his name to the list of British Pentathlon winners, gunning for the WDF World No.1 ranking, being a relative late starter to the sport, the fire in his belly at the moment and his message to the WDF's other top players. Catalan double-winner de Graaf (19:59) then discusses her wins over in Spain, returning to work as a nurse during the pandemic, the difficulties of travelling to Britain at the moment, the nerves she had when she won the World Masters, planning to play in the PDC Women's Series and why she's not a big fan of Lakeside. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #64 - Brian Raman, Deta Hedman

Andrew returns after being down in Selsey for the England Open weekend, where he grabbed chats with the two direct qualifiers for Lakeside from the events - Brian Raman and Deta Hedman. Brian (0:30) explains how a phone call to his wife helped him overcome defeat to Neil Duff in the National Singles final to win the England Open, becoming WDF World Number 1, his excitement for Lakeside and why he's now known as 'The Riddler'. Deta (7:05) also discusses her England Open win, the pain she was in throughout the weekend and her thoughts on entries for the PDC Women's Series. Andrew then shares his experiences from the Selsey weekend, or at least the repeatable ones, and looks ahead to this weekend's competition in Australia. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #63 - Bruce Robbins, John Scott

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by Washington Area Open champion Bruce Robbins and friend of the show 'Gnasher' John Scott. Bruce (4:20) calls in to discuss his title win in Virginia, his career in darts, being a sober player, missing out on the World Masters in previous years, being told he'd qualified for the 1996 World Matchplay by John Lowe, his wife encouraging him to end a four-year break from the sport, and why his nickname is 'Buffalo'. John (21:11) then covers his recent weekend in Catalunya, life getting back to normal, signing with Volcano Sports, making his British Pentathlon debut and why he's called me Mystic Sinclair. Andrew also discusses the recent World Masters cancellation and his draw at the England National Singles. 

Inside the WDF Episode #62 - Tommy Thompson, Elena Shulgina

In the week's episode, Andrew is joined by England Darts Organisation Chairman Tommy Thompson and Russian international Elena Shulgina. Tommy (0:46) calls in to discuss the first WDF Gold event of 2021, the England Open, in September, his fears for the future of grassroots darts, the EDO's financial position, their World Masters qualifying spots and his memories of the late Andy Fordham. Elena (31:07) then joins to talk about her win at the 2021 Salavat Yulaev Cup, her musical background, playing on the EADC tour, and her aim of qualifying for Lakeisde. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #61 - Haupai Puha, Desi Mercer

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by both 2021 Shot New Zealand Open champions, Haupai Puha and Desi Mercer. Haupai (2:04) joins the show to discuss his title win in Motueka, why he's returned to WDF action, his experience at the PDC World Championships last year, the mental struggles of being in the UK for five months away from his family, his late entry into Q-School, getting back to the golf course and his plans for the rest of 2021. Desi (21:13) won both the NZ Open and the NZDC National Singles and she discusses her performances, always having the ability to learn, her form at the moment, not getting any match practice, her empathy with Ryan Searle, changing her throw during lockdown and why she might miss the World Masters. Enjoy!

Inside the WDF Episode #60 - Stu Wilson, Veronika Ihász, Enikő Harsányi

There are two firsts on this week's episode. Recent Cheshire Open champion Stu Wilson (4:02) joins the show to talk that win, picking up the MAD England Falcons title, getting his shot on the ProTour in 2020, thoughts on a nickname and his goals for the rest of the year. Veronika Ihász (19:32) won the Apatin Open for the sixth successive time in late July and she discusses, with the help of translator Enikő Harsányi, that title, getting motivation from her son, dreaming of playing against the world's best at Lakeside next year, wearing her sunglasses while playing and a darting love story. Enikő also answers questions on the growth of the sport in Hungary, the start of the Magyar Darts podcast and her thoughts on the greater regional representation in the WDF majors. Enjoy!