Darts news: Five of the top Dutch darts stars join new team
- Nick Krige
- 10 May 2022
Former world number 1 Michael van Gerwen is among a group of Dutch darts players to join Toto Dart Kings.
A group of the five best darts players from the Netherlands will be participating for a newly formed team, beginning with the Premier League in Sheffield this week.
The Premier League outing in Sheffield starts on 12 May and the five Dutch players, including Raymond van Barneveld, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert and Vincent van der Voort with representing the team formed by Chris Woerts under the Dart Kings banner.
The team will be known as the TOTO Dart Kings after the team's announcement was accompanied by the revelation of TOTO has the naming sponsor.
Former world number 1 Van Gerwen is hopeful the new partnership and team will help him get back to the top.
"Last year I lost my number one position in the world rankings. I would love to regain it. By joining a team with a lot of experience and talent, I think we can all perform better. And I can get back to where I belong: at number one," he said.
The experienced Van Barneveld is also excited about the team, as it is a new step in his career.
"It has always been a dream for me to play in a team. This is now possible with TOTO Dart Kings, with all those guys fighting for the prizes. That gives me the inspiration to do this again. I hope to contribute to the team with my experience. Proud that I can be part of it."
While it is a bit unusual for darts professionals to form into a team on the professional darts scene, Woerts is convinced it can have just as much value as in other sporting codes.
"From idea to realisation. What is possible in skating with individual athletes in a team, should also be possible in darts. I have always been convinced of that. Dart Kings is going to give a new dimension to darts in the Netherlands," he said.
"Jason Thame, Michael van Gerwen's manager, was immediately enthusiastic. And the other darts players thought it was a unique initiative. The team was born."
