What does 2025 hold for North-East Darts?
Written by Blake Burns on 1st February 2025
North East darts had a very successful 2024 with Chris Dobey firing his way to 10th in the world and back into the Premier League.
Alongside Dobey, making a name for North East darts is Callan Rydz who had a really successful World Championship. ‘The Riot’ narrowly lost out to three-time World champ Michael Van Gerwen in the semi-final despite a 103.88 average.
Also representing Tyne & Wear was Ryan Joyce, whose quarter final of the Players Championship finals and semi-final of the World Grand Prix, capped off a similarly successful year.
Chris Dobey in action. Credit: Alamy Images
Dobey faces Ryan Searle next in the Winmau Masters.
Darts influencer Veerle Van der Meulen, speaking ahead of the tie, said:
“I think Chris has a great chance – but Ryan is good with his doubles – it’s up to Chris to throw high averages and have more attempts at double before Ryan can punish.
“I really believe Chris belongs in the Premier League and being back in will give him the motivation to win titles over the year.”
Darts referee Simon Rimington said: “Chris will want to back up his form tomorrow against Ryan (Searle). If he loses just ahead of the Premier League, people will then start to query him being selected before it even begins.”
He said of Rydz: “We all know Callan has had a tough spell and it was brilliant to see the crowd embrace him on his superb run at Ally Pally.
“It really felt like a coming-of-age moment. He looked comfortable in everything he was doing and he was edged out in a brilliant game, absolutely nothing in it at all. Hopefully he can carry this forward into more TV events in 2025.”
He added: “Joyce is a great advert for match practice. He loves to be playing. He will play local competitions in PDC breaks and has worked so hard he is very hard to beat now as a heavy scorer – and is there anyone better on Double 16 right now?”
Dobey will face Gerwyn Price in Belfast for week one of the Premier League, beginning on February 6.
