UKDA continue to make headway in securing the future of county darts as their deadline approaches
The recently-established United Kingdom Darts Association (UKDA) are continuing to make headway in securing the future of county darts as their deadline edges closer.
Following the demise of the BDO, the UKDA are one of two newly-formed organisations aiming to attract the counties to their structure and away from the long-standing British Inter-County Championship (BICC) system.
Since releasing their popular proposal nearly three months ago, the UKDA, chaired by Johnny Stefano, have lured a total nearing 40 counties towards their structure.
A minimal amount have remained within the BICC system, including the reigning Premier Division champions Yorkshire, but masses have opted for change.
Six top-flight outfits have switched across the divide, Yorkshire’s rivals Lancashire amongst them, with Essex’s decision yet to be confirmed.
The UKDA have set a deadline for counties of Monday September 7, leaving those yet to make their all-important decision with just two days if they were to vote for change.
The UKDA have established their National League system, with five leagues being situated within that structure, namely the Premier Division, Championship, Division One, Division Two and Division Three.
They have also kept the Scotland North and South divisions in place if Scottish counties were to switch, though, they have as it stands voted for their leagues to be sanctioned by their national organisation.
It is currently unknown as to how many teams will be selected to compete in each division, but that will become clearer once Monday’s deadline for counties has passed.
UKDA NATIONAL LEAGUE
COUNTIES TO HAVE SWITCHED (PREVIOUS BICC DIVISION IN BRACKETS)
The following counties have opted to switch from the long-standing BICC structure as of midday on Saturday September 5:
Bedfordshire (Division Four)
Berkshire (Division Two)
Buckinghamshire (Division Two)
Cheshire (Division One)
Cleveland (Division Three)
Cumbria (Division Three)
Clwyd (Division Three)
Derbyshire (Division Three)
Devon (Premier Division)
Glamorgan (Premier Division)
Gwynedd (Division Two)
Hampshire (Premier Division)
Hertfordshire (Division Three)
Kent (Division Two)
Lancashire (Premier Division)
Leicestershire (Division Four)
London (Division One)
Merseyside (Division Three)
Montgomery and Radnor (Division Three)
Norfolk (Division Three)
Northumberland (Division Four)
Northamptonshire (Premier Division)
Nottinghamshire (Division Two)
Oxfordshire (Division One)
Shropshire (Division Four)
Somerset (Division Two)
Staffordshire (Division One)
Suffolk (Division Two)
Surrey (Division Two)
Tyne and Wear (Division Four)
Warwickshire (Premier Division)
West of England (Division Four)
NEW COUNTIES TO HAVE JOINED
The following counties have established a superleague system and will put forward a county squad:
Black Country
Carmarthenshire
Salopian
Wirral
(Featured Image: United Kingdom Darts Association)
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