The Invisible ArtI don't suppose there exists an adult American who cannot, at a glance, recognize a dartboard. Ask a child to draw a picture of a dart and the response will be immediate and the result, easily recognizable. Any Hollywood movie set depicting a bar interior would require deliberate thought to not having a dartboard hanging in some corner. Sporting equipment retailers tell me a high percentage of their board sales are to people "decorating" their rec. rooms. To these buyers a dartboard is wall art. So how is it, with all that, no one knows we exist?
As enlightened to the tools of our trade as the public might be, they are unaware of the art and the artisans. Local, national and international organized competition is beyond their ken. Our heroes roam unrecognized outside of their element.
There are a couple of dart oriented web sites that have a page devoted to direct and indirect darts instances from books, movies and TV (ed.note: see Sightings). It's as though we were a band of UFO cultists who broadcast to one another our most recent sightings. I, personally, became aware of the New Zealand mystery writer, Ngaio Marsh, because her book, Death at the Bar, had a dartboard on the cover.
Our numbers are not small, nor do we compete in secret, yet we are relegated to obscurity, anonymity, and, perish the thought, insignificance.
The British have a sport called Cricket that has nothing to do with darts. Although most of us are aware of the game, very few outside the UK understand and can relate the rules and object. Most Americans are that way with darts as well. "Closest to bullseye, right?" - "Not bloody quite."
What's going on? How did we acquire this translucent mantle? Not only do I not know, I don't think I really care. I don't believe knowing is going to contribute much toward a solution. Something had to occupy the edge of the periphery and, at least for now, that something is us.
No becoming Know
What can be done and who is to do it? The answer quite conveniently lies with you. Not the collective, all encompassing, other guy you, but the singular, off your butt, on your feet you. You know your capabilities, resources and talents. I'm sure your imagination is equal to mine. The task is straightforward: to highlight the sport you enjoy, the league in which you participate, the players you admire- anything that might remove the veil from at least a few people's eyes.
Prior to 1975, the point at which the Washington Area Darts Association went to permanent membership, the sitting president of the United States was sent WADA card #1 each year. Presumably those presidents never actually received the cards. They were intercepted by staff, logged as honoraria and, at best, ended up in a crate destined for the basement. Possibly one or two persons involved in the process appreciated the gesture. That possibility alone made the effort well spent.
Two years ago I sent out 22 letters to my area's radio stations asking them to broadcast, as a public service, the It's A Women's Thing tournament. Prompted by some follow up effort, one of the stations subsequently interviewed two of the organizers. One might think one of 22 is good. I certainly did. But what if there had been no response? Failure? Not at all. What would have happened, and, in fact, did happen was that 22 people in a position to do some good for our sport were made aware of its existence. That 21 of 22 chose inaction at that specific time is immaterial.
There needs be an additional factor taken into account when promotion is designed and implemented. The focus, at present, is generally confined to increasing player numbers and expanded activity. What should be included in the mix is increased public awareness. A league may (and should) have in its repertoire tools to attract players and sponsors. What is also required are the means to enlighten those with no knowledge of our structure, function, goals and numbers.
Whenever you make an effort to engage another person's interest in our sport, even if they do not deliver what you hoped for, you have the opportunity to leave that individual with a greater knowledge of the sportand a favorable impression of its emissaries.
We need to join this siege for the long haul and take delight when the skirmishes go our way. Certainly our best strategy is to enlist as many allies as possible and, in doing so, we will find future battles more easily won.
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