24/08/2026
🏆 OUR ACADEMY AWARDS 2026 🏆
Throughout the year, each of our coaches works closely with different boards and players across the academy, so we thought it was only right that every coach had the opportunity to choose their own Player of the Year. 🎯
And what a group of players they’ve chosen! 👏❤️
🏆 Ryan’s Player of the Year – Ollie Copeland
Ollie’s passion for darts is every bit as strong as his passion for football! He takes every challenge in his stride and his hunger to compete against the very best is second to none.
He’s progressed from our youth tournaments to competing against experienced players and professionals in the men’s game at the club — and pushing them incredibly close!
He recently topped it all off with a brilliant 11-dart leg in competition! 🔥
A fantastic year, Ollie! 👏
🏆 Lloyd’s Players of the Year – Khloe Patrick & Summer Jackson
Lloyd simply couldn’t separate these two!
Their willingness to compete against the boys week after week, while continuing to push themselves both inside and outside the academy, deserves huge recognition.
Both girls have stepped into our Tuesday competitions this year and performed brilliantly.
Two fantastic role models who continue to show exactly what girls’ darts at the BDA is all about! ❤️🎯
🏆 Paul’s Player of the Year – Louis Jones
Louis is always pushing himself, always gives 100% and his improvement over the last 12 months has been brilliant to watch.
He turns up ready to work, ready to learn and ready to get better every single week.
Keep it going, Louis! 🔥
🏆 Dan’s Player of the Year – Charlie Merrick
Charlie takes his darts incredibly seriously and his focus is second to none.
Even after a full week away and absolutely shattered, his dedication to getting back to the academy and putting the work in says everything about him.
He’s constantly looking for ways to improve, learn and become a better player.
A thoroughly deserved award! 👏
🏆 Taylor’s Player of the Year – James Benfell
James constantly pushes himself outside of his comfort zone and challenges himself to get better at everything he does.
The last few months in particular have been fantastic, with a huge improvement in his darts and some of the best performances we’ve ever seen from him.
He’s going from strength to strength! 🔥🎯
🏆 Adam’s Player of the Year – Connie Brothwick
Connie’s enthusiasm for darts has always been brilliant, but this year she has gone from strength to strength.
She’s helpful, enthusiastic, keen to learn and always looking for ways to improve.
A fantastic example and a real inspiration to the other young players at the academy. ❤️
🏆 Josh’s Player of the Year – Freddy Robson
Freddy has been brilliant this year!
His accuracy, throwing action and enthusiasm continue to impress, and he topped it all off recently by hitting a superb 180! 💯💯💯
All of our younger academy players have been fantastic, but that 180 just nudged it for Freddy this year!
Keep smashing it! 🔥
🏆 David’s Player of the Year – Joshua Barker
Josh has one of the finest throwing actions in the academy. When he steps up to the oche, he looks like a seasoned professional!
More importantly, he has an attitude perfectly suited to the game.
He constantly looks to improve and pushes himself to beat every challenge put in front of him.
His improvement over recent months has been massive and shows exactly what Josh is all about. 👏🎯
⭐ Vault Player of the Year – Kai Goldstein
Kai made a brilliant start when he first joined us and hasn’t allowed anything to knock him off course since.
Even time away from the oche didn’t stop him — he stepped straight back in and returned to winning ways, picking up a couple of competition victories alongside several runner-up finishes.
Kai absolutely loves his darts and we’re sure he’ll be around the game, pushing himself to improve, for many years to come. 🔥
📈 Most Improved Player – Ronnie Lambert
What can we say about Ronnie! ❤️
We’re not sure we’ve ever had a more popular player at the academy. When he won one of our competitions recently, we think some of the other parents were even happier than he was! 😂👏
He’s always willing to help, nothing is ever too much trouble and the way he supports everyone around him is second to none.
His improvement over the last year has been an absolute delight to watch, and he takes everything in his stride.
A brilliant young man and a true gentleman. ❤️
🏆🏆 ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR – TOM EDWARDS 🏆🏆
Tom could quite easily have cleaned up at the awards this year.
He’s progressed from academy player, to county youth player, and is now pushing himself against not only some of the best youth players in the country, but some of the best senior players the county has to offer too.
No challenge is too big.
His willingness to learn, adapt and improve is refreshing to see and his attitude towards getting better is exactly what we want our academy players to aspire to.
Tom takes the award from last year’s winner, Taylor, and if he continues on the path he’s on, he’ll certainly be following in some pretty impressive footsteps. 🔥
A massive congratulations to all of our award winners — and to every single player who has represented the academy this year.
The improvement, friendships, sportsmanship and love for darts across the academy is what makes it so special. ❤️🎯
We couldn’t be prouder of you all!
