WDDA darts stars re-commit to Winmau

 

Phil Lees and Ricky Chilton, two of the biggest names on the World Disability Darts Association (WDDA) circuit, have re-committed their futures to Winmau, the world’s leading darts brand, for a further two years.

 

The players, who have both qualified as one of the top eight seeded players for the 2016 Winmau WDDA World Masters at the beginning of December, will continue to represent Winmau at national and international events.

 

The pair first signed with the company in 2014 off the back of their performance in the inaugural Winmau WDDA World Masters, where Ricky emerged victorious.

 

Since then they have continued to blaze a trail for disability darts with Ricky adding more WDDA titles in 2015 including the Winmau Classic Wheelchair Classification, Winmau Classic Open and Winmau Classic Blind Doubles. This year he retained his Winmau Classic Open title and was runner-up in the Winmau British Disability Darts Association (BDDA) Wolverhampton Open.

 

Ricky, who plays his club darts for Newlyn Royal British Legion in the West Penwith League and The White Hart, Camborne in the Cornwall Super League, played his debut match for Cornwall County last year.

 

"I didn’t play very well on the day, but it was an incredibly proud moment nonetheless,” says Ricky who started playing darts at 18, four years after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer which ultimately resulted in his left hip, pelvis and leg being amputated at the age of 34.

 

"Winmau does more to support the game of darts than any other company,” he says. "Their backing of the WDDA, BDDA and of players like Phil and I, is testament to their passion for the game at the grass roots level. With their drive and investment in the WDDA’s vision, world disability darts continues to thrive, providing opportunities for more players to realise their dreams and play on the big stage.”

 

Sharing those sentiments is Phil Lees, who won the BDDA Open Pairs title with Ricky in 2015. Ranked sixth in December’s Winmau WDDA World Masters, he has also reached at least the quarter finals of every BDDA and WDDA event this year.

 

"Winmau recognises that darts is one of the few sports in which players with disabilities and able-bodied players can compete on a level playing field with no changes to the equipment; it’s only the height of the dartboard that can change for wheelchair bound players,” says Phil, who plays for The Union, Stockport in the Tuesday Super League, as well as for Dukinfield in division three of the Lancashire Sunday Super League. He is also captain of his Denton Conservative Club team in the Audenshaw and Denton 501 League. Phil continued: "It is an honour to play for a company that embodies what darts is really all about – Enabling players of all ages, gender and abilities to play and, more importantly, enjoy the great sport of darts.”

 

Winmau’s Sales and Marketing Director, Ian Flack, added: "Ricky and Phil are tremendous darts players and they deserve all the recognition and adulation they get in the sport. I am delighted that they will continue to be a part of the Winmau family of top players. They are great ambassadors for the game of darts; their commitment to hard work and improvement is an example to all who want to perform at the top of their game.”

 

You can follow Phil on Twitter: @phillees6

 

Useful Information

 

WDDA Website: http://www.world-disability-darts.org/

 

WDDA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WddaWorldDisabilityDartsOrganisation/

 

BDDA Twitter: @BddaWdda

 

BDDA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/918836804857813/

 

For further information, please contact Sarah Smale of the BDDA: sarah.smale@btopenworld.com