Points Darts

15/09/2026

What has been going on at the new darts academy in Reading I hear you ask.

Well, Points Darts Academy Reading, based from Burghfield Community Sports Association is run by Ali Driver, a PDPA qualified darts coach and ably assisted by Steve Baggaley. This week, we looked at awarding PDPA certificates from the 'Single to 180' scheme. Everyone achieved something, from Single level to Checkout level, which is great and we'll be presenting the certificates next week. One step in the Checkout level is getting 5 points in 9 darts on the bull (1 point for a 25, 2 points for a bullseye), and we had 4 kids achieve it this week.

Want to join in and see where you are on the PDPA scheme? Just message Points Darts through Facebook or email [email protected]

13/09/2026

Very pleased to help out by supplying my temporary dart lanes at a tournament at Purley Sports and Social Club. It was very well organised by Danny Woodward and went very well with some great feedback for the booths.

Sadly I was knocked out in the semi-finals but was good to get out and play. I'm still re-building my own throw and it's coming on well. I just need to find a few extra hours each day for some practice and embed the changes so they feel natural.

Looking forward to getting out more in the future.

I'm also looking to add to the darts booths so more venues can host competitions.

12/09/2026

Starting to get some new followers here on Facebook, thanks to everyone who is following along.

I'm a PDPA qualified darts coach trying to set up a successful business helping people play darts better.

I offer 1:1 tuition at my studio at home, just west of Reading where I can fully assess the mechanics of your throw using 4k video to support the session, so you can see for yourself what is going on.

I am fascinated by the mental side of darts and help with mindset, specifically how to focus every time you step up to the oche, how to deal with darts that miss the target (because they will), and how to set your mind up to grow and believe you can improve.

I help with board management (darts maths), learning the patterns of checkouts, learning the maths of counting in your head and being fully prepared for your next visit.

And as I'm also affiliated to the JDC and run and academy for kids on a Monday evening from Burghfield CSA, where I offer all of the above to kids wanting to learn the game.

So, whether you are an adult or a kid, just starting or experienced, I offer something to help you improve your game.

I am going to start posting more frequently with some tips and tricks to help players, so watch this space for more content.

Please share this to your Facebook friends, let's get the message out there that I am here and am set up to help!

Ali

11/09/2026

🎯 LOCAL BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY 🎯

Points Darts Academy Reading, based from Burghfield Community Sports Association is establishing a Community Access Fund to help make structured youth darts coaching and development accessible to more young people across Reading, West Berkshire and North Hampshire.

The fund will be a permanent part of the academy and will be used to support academy participation, essential playing equipment and suitable development opportunities where cost might otherwise be a barrier.

All support will be managed through a clear and confidential process. Sponsorship will be pooled and will never be publicly linked to an individual child or family.

Businesses can offer one-off or ongoing support and choose either:

• Quiet support, without publicity; or
• Recognition as a Points Darts Community Access Partner.

Depending on the level of support, partner recognition could include social-media features, a logo and link on the Points Darts website, and regular inclusion on academy promotional material. We could also dedicate awards to your company in recognition.

Sponsors will also receive a short, anonymised update showing the number of sessions or opportunities their support has helped provide—without identifying any young person or family.

Points Darts Academy Reading started in August '26 and is recently JDC Junior Darts Corporation and Winmau affiliated. It is run by Ali Driver a PDPA Licensed Darts Coach who is DBS checked and fully insured and ably assisted by Steve Baggaley, also fully DBS checked.

If your business would like to help create opportunities for young people while supporting a growing local academy, please message Points Darts or email [email protected].

Please feel free to share this with a local business that may be interested. 🎯

06/09/2026

Yesterday Steve and I spent the day at Hangar61, the JDC headquarters in Bristol. I am very pleased to say as a result that Points Darts Academy Reading, which runs from Burghfield Community Sports Association is now officially affiliated to the JDC and Winmau.

What this means is that all kids get great achievement awards through the JDC scheme as well as access to regional and national competitions when the time is right for them, a properly structured system from beginner onwards.

Winmau now sponsor the academy too, that means we will be provided great equipment every year to make the academy look and feel great for all the kids including equaliser boards (bigger doubles and trebles) for beginners.

This is an amazing step forward for the academy as a whole and most importantly for the 24 signed up kids who are already attending.

We still have some space so drop me a message if you would like to come along!

Ali

(picture is Hangar61)

03/09/2026

Calling all local darts players, there is a competition on Saturday 12th September at Purley Sports and Socal Club.

Not being run by Points Darts but advertising for a friend and local

28/08/2026

I have focussed my recent posts on the new academy for kids (have a look at my profile if you missed them)

But I also offer 1:1 darts coaching from my studio outside Reading.

I offer recording with a new high quality 4k camera to really capture what is happening when you throw a dart.

I will always give you a full write up of the session afterwards so you don't have to try to remember everything we discussed.

This is aimed at players of all levels, I have already helped many players improve from beginners through to County level.

So, if this is for you, get in touch, let's start the process of helping you improve!

Ali

25/08/2026

Great start to the Points Darts Academy - Reading.

We have 22 players signed up of all abilities from those that have never really thrown before to highly competent players and have already split into two groups.

We still have spaces left so if you child is an aspiring darts talent, or would just like to know more about the sport then drop me a message and get booked in.

17/08/2026

Really successful first darts academy for kids at Burghfield CSA. We had kids at all levels from beginner to County Youth players and everything in between!

The venue is great so big shout out to Burghfield Community Sports Association for hosting us and giving kids a chance to learn how to play.

These sessions are not just a come and play but a chance for me to coach, for everyone to learn but most importantly for everyone to have fun and enjoy darts.

Coaching will include the mechanics of throwing darts, darts maths (which is great for all kids), board management (learning the patterns) and managing you mind from being focussed, to having a growth mindset. All of these things play a huge part in darts.

So, if you are interested, the academy is for 8-17 year olds (younger with an assessment) and will run almost every Monday, not just term time, at Burghfield CSA.

Drop me a message if you are interested either through Facebook or through my website www.pointsdarts.co.uk

PS, I'm also available for 1:1 coaching at my studio in Purley on Thames

Ali
PDPA Licenced Darts Coach

Inspiring Darts around the Thames Valley

12/08/2026

Points Darts Academy - Reading

Calling local businesses. I am setting up a new darts academy for kids (and the only darts academy near Reading). It is due to start on Monday 17th August in Burghfield Community Sports Association.

I am looking for some sponsorship which will be used to support academy costs, darts shirts and awards for the kids.

In return I would promote your business in regular social media posts across the local region and nationally, put your business name on academy clothing and name an annual award after your business.

If you feel able to contribute to this or simply want more details then please get in touch.

Many thanks

Ali Driver
Points Darts
PDPA licenced darts coach