Declyn Keays has her eyes on the prize. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Darts

Young dart players take aim at Nationals

Mar 7, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Four local youth from Prince Albert will head to Quebec in May and compete at a national darts competition.

Declyn Keays, Konnor Labach, Nathan Venn and Shanae Johnstone all qualified after competing last month at provincials in Saskatoon.

Nathan Venn, 17, finished second in the senior boys’ division. He started playing about two years ago and this will mark his first time at a big tournament.

“I’m excited, it’s something new and it’s gonna be really fun,” he said. “I hope to win a couple of games.”

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Konnor Labach. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Konnor Labach, 11, has been playing for seven years and has already been to Nationals twice.

“My dad used to play with his friends and I just saw that and he just got me right into it,” he said.

While Labach acknowledged he would like to win a medal, he added he also just has a good time playing and enjoys making new friends.

“I don’t think I can quite win, but I think I can do pretty good there.”

Declyn Keays, 19, only started playing October and is equally excited about representing her community and the province at Nationals.

“Darts wasn’t even on my things to do at all this year, but I’m really excited, and it’s a great opportunity to go see the world,” she said.

Similar ro the others, Keays also comes from a family of passionate darts players and acknowledged they are all very competitive with one another.

From left to right: Nathan Venn, Declyn Keays and Konnor Labach. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Khris Labach has for the past few years been helping to run the local darts club and stated it has really grown.

“We’re gonna have a booth up at Sports on Central this year as well. 
So I’ve been coordinating that, talking with them and just trying to grow the game, get more new youth playing the game and see what we can do with it,” he said.

Noting the significance of having members qualify for Nationals, Khris said the game provides youth a chance to meet people from all over the country. And in addition to the obvious improvements to hand-eye coordination, Khris said it also helps improve math skills.

“Konnor does better math than anybody here,” he said.

The local league runs at the Elks Hall on Tuesdays (women) and Wednesdays (men), and there’s a fun night on Fridays.

“If anybody is interested, you can come to the Elks Hall and just join in and play,” he said.

The Darts Federation of Canada nationals tournament runs May 14 to 18 in Saint Hyacinthe, QC.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social