Teenage darts talent Kyle Tait qualifies for national finals
Sandwick Arrows player seeking sponsorship for event in Buckinghamshire
ONE OF Shetland’s top darts talents has qualified for a national finals event in Buckinghamshire later this year.
Teenager Kyle Tait, who plays for Sandwick Arrows, has qualified for the ADC National Finals at Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury, after some top performances at events in Lerwick.
The apprentice joiner from Cunningsburgh earned his place through the ADC points system, and will now get the chance to represent Shetland on the national stage.
The event – held between 15 and 18 October – represents a major step up in competition for Tait, who represented Shetland at inter-county level earlier this year.
He is also seeking local sponsorship to be able to compete at the Aylesbury event.
Of his qualification, Tait said he was excited about having the chance to “compete nationally against loads of good players”.
Tait began playing darts aged just four years old after getting his first magnetic board and after watching his dad playing on a proper dart board.
He started playing competitively around age 16, and has steadily built experience through playing in both the main darts leagues and the Southern darts league.
Tait is also a regular at ADC competitions in Lerwick and has routinely picked up trophies by winning Shetland Darts Association competitions.
The 19-year old said that getting from Shetland to Aylesbury for the ADC finals in October was the biggest hurdle for him.
“Travel is the annoying one,” he said.
“Getting a flight would be a lot easier but it costs too much. I’m thinking of getting the boat down to Aberdeen, then a train from Aberdeen to London, then a taxi to the hotel in Aylesbury.”
He said that travel alone could cost around £600–£700, before accommodation.
“It’s too expensive for me to pay for it all,” he said. “It would be a massive help if I was able to raise maybe a couple hundred towards travel costs.”
Tait is now looking for support from local businesses and sponsors to help cover travel and accommodation, ensuring he can take up his place at the finals.
In return, he said he could offer sponsor visibility – including a logo on his shirt and mentions on social media.
“I’d have massive gratitude for any business willing to sponsor me,” he said. “I’ll be giving it my best shot.”
Shetland ADC organiser Karin Harmsworth said they were keen to see Tait realise his potential and make it to Aylesbury for the finals.
“With the series running for almost a year now, it’s been encouraging — and honestly heartening — to see the dedication from all the players, especially the youngsters like Kyle.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Kyle has qualified, and we’re grateful for travel sponsorship from NorthLink to help him on his journey.
“But there is still a huge funding gap for a young apprentice to take up this opportunity and potentially push his career on — in a competition that has been a pathway for so many of the new, young players now coming through on the professional circuit.”
Harmsworth said they would love to see Tait supported on his journey.
“Who knows — in a few years, the name on everyone’s lips in darts could be our very own Kyle Tait.”
To support Kyle or discuss sponsorship, email kyletait701@gmail.com
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