Yukoner to captain B.C. dart team at 2009 nationals

Photo by Jon Molson

Relaxation and enjoyment were the two pillars to Wayne Morrissey’s success at this year’s B.C. provincial darts championships.

Being a great player didn’t hinder the Whitehorse resident’s final placing either.

In B.C., Morrissey never lost a section and ended up placing first overall after four rounds of competition. His score of 85 was three points ahead of the next closest challenger.

By placing in the top eight, Morrissey secured himself a spot on Team B.C., which will compete at the 2009 nationals. This year’s darts nationals are being held in Quebec in June.

This will be the first time Morrissey, who has lived in the Yukon for the past four years, captains a darts team on the national stage.

“That is really big, you get to lead eight men, eight ladies and the coaches,” he said about being named captain. “There’s a couple new players on the team and they have a good mix. There’s (also) a few people that have been playing for years.

They are hoping the experience I had in previous years will help.”

Morrissey, who has been an active darts player for more than 20 years, said there are a number of good competitors throughout the territory.

When Morrissey first moved from Edmonton to Whitehorse there was a local Yukon dart team, but it has since dismantled.

His practice this past season was limited to a Wednesday night drop in league at the Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre and a dart board set up in his own home.

He said he practices anywhere between seven and 14 hours each week.

Team B.C. will draw on his past experience representing Newfoundland and Alberta at the darts nationals. This year, however, was the very first time, he finished in the top spot at a provincial championship.

Morrissey has also played darts at the world masters in England.

Despite all of his previous experiences at elite darts competitions, Morrissey said his expectations weren’t very high heading into the B.C. provincials, held earlier this month.

Morrissey said that was due mostly to the fact that he hasn’t played in very many competitive events compared to guys in B.C. who have dart leagues and play in multiple tournaments each year.

However, his reduced expectations helped take some of the pressure off, which Morrissey said played a big part in his first place finish.

“It (darts) is probably about 80 per cent mental,” he said. “It’s more concentration than anything, you have such a light thing in your hand, if you get a little nervous at all it throws you off.”

Morrissey’s consistency helped keep him in the mix, giving himself a chance for to take the lead on the final day of competition.

Day three proved to be his best and Morrissey concluded the darts provincials by scoring the most points out of the 38-man field. He posted 25 points in total, which was enough to take sole possession of the number one spot.

Morrissey, who at B.C. provincials earned the nickname “Yukon Wayne,” said it is an honour to be named as captain.

“It will make it special,” Morrissey said, adding it means even more because he doesn’t even live in B.C.

He plans on practising at his house until the nationals in June and said he likes his team’s chances in Quebec.

“There’s a lot of experience, there’s one or two new guys that are really excited and good dart players,” Morrissey said.

At the nationals, Morrissey will compete in four events being: singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles and a team challenge.