Charity Benefits at Matchplay Darts as Betfred Gives Generously
Author:
Roy Brindley
The nine-day World Matchplay tournament, staged before a packed house inside of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, saw 32 players hoping to win the Phil Taylor Trophy. Only one could go home victorious and that was 2020 World Champion Peter Wright. The Scotsman was clinical in defeating Belgium’s Dimitri Van den Bergh in Sunday’s final. The week’s other big winner was the Stroke Association.
Peter Wright collected the Phil Taylor Matchplay trophy in Blackpool at the weekend. ?Lawrence/Lustig/PDC
Points Make Charity Prizes
Alongside the action at the oche, the World Matchplay sponsor’s, Betfred, was busy raising money for the Stroke Association. Firstly, it made a donation of ￡50 for every 180 recorded during the competition.
The tournament featured a grand total of 301 scores of 180 across 31 games. Beaten finalist, Dimitri Van den Bergh hit the most by an individual player. He registered 49 during his five matches. The new champion, Peter Wright, recorded 41 during his march to the title.
Additionally, the ‘Betfred Nine-Dart Charity Challenge’ saw ￡1 per point donated across nine darts thrown by competing players, media personalities, celebrities and officials at the event. This added an additional ￡7,000 to the total.
Betfred then donated an additional ￡10,000 following the successful activities, giving a total donation of ￡33,000 to the Stroke Association.
Popular Rodd Studd Returns
“I’m delighted to be donating such a great sum to the Stroke Association,” said Betfred boss Fred Done. “It has been a wonderful Betfred World Matchplay this year. The final was a marvellous occasion in front of a sell-out Blackpool crowd, and I congratulate Peter Wright on his victory.
“We were also so happy to see Rod Studd back as part of the Sky Sports commentary team this week during his continued recovery from a stroke, and the long-awaited return of capacity crowds,” Done continued. “The support of the players, media and staff during the tournament has been vital towards raising money for a charity which does so much great work.”
World Matchplay finalists Dimitri Van den Bergh (left), Fred Done (center) and Peter Wight with a presentation cheque for the Stroke Association. ?Lawrence/Lustig/PDC
The latest Betfred charity donation surpassed the ￡32,000 to the Stroke Association received following the 2020 World Matchplay. Betfred has previously supported Parkinson’s UK with its charity activity at the tournament.
On behalf of the Professional Darts Corporation their Chief Executive, Matt Porter, said: “It’s fantastic to see ￡33,000 being donated to the Stroke Association and Betfred’s support for such a worthwhile charity will make a great difference.
“The support of our players both on and off stage during the event has been brilliant and has added an extra dimension to a memorable week in Blackpool. The return of Rod Studd was another boost and we’ve all enjoyed hearing him back in the commentary box.”
Darts TV Schedule Is Bust in The Autumn
The next televised darting action is not until September 9 with the four-day Cazoo World Cup of Darts being broadcast on SKY Sports direct from Jena, Germany. The following weekend ITV will cover the Nordic Darts Masters from Copenhagen.
Dublin’s Citywest is unable to play host to the BoyleSports World Grand Prix so that event is now scheduled to take place in Leicester’s Morningside Arena between October 3-9. SKY Sports will once again broadcast all games live.
