A social sports club located in Brisbane, Australia. Founded in 1969, the Beenleigh & District Darts Association started with approximately 50 members who played out of four different hotels in the area. Today, the club has grown to include over 350 members from all over South East Queensland.
The Beenleigh Darts Association is affiliated with Zone 10 Darts, Queensland Darts Association (QDA), and the Darts Federation of Australia (DFA) and South Queensland Darts Council (SQDC). Throughout the years, members of the club have represented and competed in these prestigious organisations.
Over its 38-year history, there have been many changes in membership, with some members moving interstate, retiring from the sport, or passing away. However, there are also several long-standing members who have been with the club for over 30 years. For example, Noel and Shirley Hickmore were involved in the founding of the Beenleigh Darts Club in 1969. Although Noel retired from playing in 2000 due to ill health, Shirley is still an active member and captains the Kandoos Darts Team.
Another significant member of the association is Chris Wolter (Ratcliffe), who is the longest-serving member of the club. Chris achieved many notable milestones in the club, including being the first woman to throw a perfect score of 180, winning the first ladies singles championship, and playing in the first all-ladies darts team called The Sunuppers. Chris has also served on the committee as secretary and treasurer for many years and is a life member of the association.
Other notable members of the Beenleigh Darts Association include Don, who started playing after meeting Chris and now supports his son Andrew's team as a reserve player. Don served as the club president for many years and was awarded life membership in 2007. Doris Johnson, who joined the association in 1970 and captained the first all-ladies team called the Sunuppers, sadly passed away in 2004. Her daughters Ann and Chris have been members since 1970.
John Evans, along with his late wife Karen, has been an active member of the club, with John currently captaining two nights each week for the Kingsridge team. The Evans' children, David, Martin, and Donna, have also taken up the sport. Tony and Mavis Douglass are another dedicated couple who still play for the Payday team and are actively involved in the association's representative activities.
Another notable member is Desley McGlen, who joined the Beenleigh Darts Association in 1979 and continues to play in the league on Thursday nights. Desley achieved the honour of being Beenleigh's first Lady State representative and is a life member of the association. She also served as the committee treasurer for many years and currently holds the position of Gaming and Liquor Nominee for the club.
In 2007, the Beenleigh Darts Association celebrated its 21st anniversary of owning its own clubhouse. The clubhouse has undergone significant renovations over the years and now includes full liquor and gaming machine licences. With a capacity to accommodate 24 competition boards, 20 boards are permanently in use each week.
As an established and vibrant sports club in Brisbane, the Beenleigh & District Darts Association offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for darts enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the game or a seasoned player looking for competitive opportunities, Beenleigh Darts is the place to be.
