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A Strong Debut: ADA Launches With a Bang at Pine Rivers

Jun 30, 2025

Over the weekend, the brand-new Australian Darts Association (ADA) held its inaugural event —technically four events—in a bold debut at Pine Rivers Darts & Sporting Club, around 30 minutes north of Brisbane. Naturally, we had to check it out and see what all the buzz was about.

First, a confession: I only discovered darts a few years ago, and with no professional tour events in my local area until now, this was my first live pro-tour experience in Australia. So in a sense, it wasn’t just the ADA breaking new ground—it was me too! The excitement leading up to the event was infectious. Players at my local club were talking, and social media was abuzz with anticipation. The vibe was undeniably positive.

By the time I arrived on Saturday, Raymond Smith had already stamped his authority on Event 1 Friday night, averaging over 90 (including a 95 in the final) and Event 2 was well underway. The first thing that struck me walking into the venue was the atmosphere. Not rowdy or chaotic—just a calm, focused energy. No loud music. No shouting. Just the soft hum of conversation and the satisfying thud of darts hitting Winmau boards. Pure bliss (for us darties anyway!).

From the outset, the ADA team had clearly put a lot of thought into the branding and presentation. Freshly designed polo shirts, a well-organised admin desk led by Tournament Director Declan Bailey, and ADA-branded board numbers at every station. Pine Rivers' two rooms and 32 boards were cleverly divided into three main areas, including a dedicated “streaming zone,” ensuring uninterrupted broadcasts and smooth flow.

Speaking of streaming, featured matches were professionally broadcast via Darts Stream Live (DSL), complete with commentary and score graphics throughout the weekend—a fantastic touch for fans watching remotely.

For players, the event mirrored a full PDC-style experience. Registration was handled via Dart Connect’s RegConnect, which made sign-up smooth and hassle-free. Players who lost in the first or second rounds were automatically entered into a Repechage Event, ensuring more match play and experience. All scoring was done live through Dart Connect, allowing fans to follow the action in real-time.

And the darts themselves? Absolutely top-notch. Watching the likes of Raymond Smith, Mal Cuming, Ben Robb (NZ), Brandon Weening, Gordon Mathers, and Mason Whitlock (yes—Simon’s son!) up close was a real treat. The standard was elite. Eleven and twelve-dart legs were being thrown all over the place. It was nothing short of sensational.

Of course, it’s only the first weekend, and challenges will inevitably arise. But if this debut is anything to go by, the ADA is off to a flying start. That’s a big, resounding Play Darts Australia TICK for ADA Weekend 1.

Smith Dominates Weekend 1

In case you missed it, Raymond Smith absolutely dominated ADA Weekend 1, winning 23 matches in a row, taking all 4 events and a lovely $6,400 in prize money!  WA's Tim Pusey wasn't far behind, reaching three of the four finals, but couldn't find a way to get past the Guru.  

The tour now shifts to Elizabeth North in South Australia (hosted by Northern District Darts Association) on 1st-3rd August 

You can revisit all the results by clicking the links below: