Lincolnshire darts player from Market Rasen aims for bullseye with ladies only competition

A Lincolnshire darts player, who became a global celebrity by getting a women's championship televised live, is aiming to hit the bulleye again by organising a ladies only event.

County darts team secretary Julie Lambie is planning to make sporting history in September - and is looking for sponsorship to attract top women professionals.

Russia's Anastasia Dobromyslova, who was seen live on TV winning the Women's BDO World Professional Darts Championships in January. Now she may compete in the first ladies only darts competition if sponsorship can be raised.
Lincolnshire ladies darts team.

Julie, of Market Rasen, said: "This is something that doesn't happen in the UK. Yes, there are many competitions for women to enter, but these are run alongside the men's and some are not specifically designed to attract the ladies.

"There are literally hundreds of women darts players based all over England, Scotland and Wales, playing in various leagues like county, superleague and pub teams.

"What I am trying to achieve is something different, something for just the ladies, to encourage the sport further and get women recognised for a sport they, too, are proud to play in."

The success of the campaign in January that brought the BDO Ladies World Championship final to our television screens has been the inspiration behind the venture.

It began when Julie teamed up with Luci Cunningham – a Sussex darts player – after it was announced that this year's ladies matches at the Lakeside would not be broadcast live.

A Facebook petition attracted the support of more than 2,600 people – including BDO professionals, Dean Winstanley and Chris Mason – forcing the sport's governing body to reverse their decision.

Julie said: "After what has been achieved with the petition, I think we could also do this, too. Ladies never get the chance of winning big money prizes.

"I am hoping to achieve a great payout for the ladies' first prize of a minimum of £1000 and paying down to the last 32 ladies, which means I need to raise at least £2,240.

"This payout - along with applying for England Ranking Points - will attract top lady professionals such as Lorraine Farlam, Deta Hedman, Anastasia Dobromyslova, Julie Gore, Rhian Edwards and Trina Gulliver."

The event will be called the Ladies Classic and played at Rileys in Crofton Road, Lincoln, on Saturday, September 15.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, call Julie on 0785 3216461 or 01673 844848, or email julieboyles@btinternet.com All sponsors will be advertised on the entry forms, the Ladies Darts website, the Lincolnshire County Darts website, the Ladies Darts group on Facebook and various darting forums.