JDC New Zealand

Watching watching watching 👀👀👀

👀 HUGE NEWS for JDC Academies is coming...

6pm GMT | 25/08 ⌛

Its been a minute NZ 📆🕐

Growing interest in the JDC NZ Academies space. In a few weeks we have the next JDC NZ Academy starting and we cant wait to introduce them !!

🎯 JDC Super 16 Finals Weekend Qualifiers

JDC New Zealand is proud to celebrate three outstanding achievements, with Tatai Hubbard, Joel Horua, and Preston Wheeler securing their places at the JDC Super 16 Finals Weekend 2026 in Bristol, England.

🏆 Tatai Hubbard (Manawatu Mātatahi Junior Darts Academy) has qualified through the Top 16 Worldwide Order of Merit from JDC Routines Seasons 3 & 4, placing him among the best junior players in the world.

🏆 Joel Horua (Tao Matarau Junior Darts Academy) and Preston Wheeler (Te Aro Putahi Junior Darts Academy) have earned qualification through their performances in the JDC Routines Seasons 3 & 4, securing their spots at the prestigious Finals Weekend.

The event will take place on 31 October - 1 November 2026 at HANGAR61, Bristol, with the finalists earning the opportunity to compete on the PDC Grand Slam Stage on 15 November 2026.

This is a fantastic achievement for our players and a proud moment for JDC New Zealand. Please join us in congratulating Tatai, Joel, and Preston on their hard work, dedication, and success.

👏 Congratulations and best of luck at the Super 16 Finals Weekend! 🇳🇿🎯

Countdown is on 🌏

😍 How great to these look!

We can proudly reveal our 2026 shirt design that the nations will wear at the 2026 JDC World Cup, brilliantly designed by DJD!

Each player representing their nation will receive a shirt free of charge, which will be presented to them at the JDC Gala event at the beginning of the JDC World Championship week in Gibraltar!

Kia ora whānau,

A massive congratulations to all our incredible tamariki and rangatahi from the JDC NZ Academies who represented at the 2026 NZDC Junior & Youth National Championships in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Across all three academies — Manawatu Matatahi, Te Aro Pūtahi, and Tao Matarau — our kids showed respect, patience, resilience, and true sportsmanship. Whether they made the podium or battled hard in the early rounds, every single one of them represented their whānau, their rohe, and their academy with pride.

To every player — we are proud of you.
To every parent, coach, volunteer, and supporter — thank you for backing our kids.
To our academies — your growth is showing on the national stage.

JDC NZ — the pathway is strong, the future is bright.
Kei runga noa atu koutou katoa.

Lets go Paul 🫡

‼️ The JDC are delighted to announce that former PDC major champion, Paul Nicholson, had joined the JDC on a multi year contract.

Paul's roles within the JDC will include his familiar role of broadcasting, mentorship and spearheading a big JDC initiative to be announced in the coming weeks... 👀

🗣️"I’m thrilled to be joining the team at The Junior Darts corporation in this new role" said Nicholson.

"As we all know, if you are standing still, you are going backwards in this world, and with the help of all at The JDC, our new ideas will catapult young stars into bold and exciting things and keep this brilliant booming sport moving in the right direction.

"It’s time to electrify what is already a fulfilling and exciting junior darts world.

"There comes a time when you get the chance to leave a footprint on what you love, and to assist in how it will evolve. I am not going to take this opportunity for granted and I will do my best to help all that I can to bring joy and passion to all juniors who want to learn, compete and thrive."

Steve Brown, Founder and Chairman of the Junior Darts Corporation, said:

“This is a hugely significant appointment for the JDC and one that reflects both our ambition and our long-term vision. Paul brings a unique combination of elite playing experience, world-class broadcasting expertise and an unrivalled passion for developing the next generation of talent.

"His role will extend far beyond the commentary position. Paul will play a key part in mentoring our young players, enhancing our media output and leading an exciting new JDC initiative that we believe will have a lasting impact on the future of our sport. We’ll be unveiling more details over the coming weeks, and I genuinely can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

On behalf of everyone at the JDC, I’d like to welcome Paul to the team. His appointment is another statement of intent as we continue to raise standards and create opportunities for young players around the world.”

Welcome to the team, Paul! 🤝

Its down to the top 8...... of the JDC NZ Super 16 Playoffs.