The tournament will be televised over three days (2nd to 4th) in a new extended agreement and is ESPN’s first foray into live televised darts. 2010 champion, Martin Adams, will be going for this fourth consecutive title but this deal means less people will be able to watch his historic quest.

The press releases dress this move up as a good one but any change that takes darts away from terrestrial television is a backwards step.

“We are delighted to be forging a new and innovative broadcasting relationship with ESPN” said BDO Managing Director, Olly Croft. “This deal heralds a new era of television exposure for BDO darts and its players.”

It is indeed a new era – one where the BBC further distance themselves from the BDO. Does this put the Lakeside World Championship in jeopardy? Having said that, the BBC coverage over the past couple of years has been shocking with much hidden behind the red button. ESPN’s coverage should be a marked improvement, it is just a shame that so many people will be deprived the chance to watch.

For the players, appearing on the BBC twice a year puts them in front of potentially millions. This is attractive for potential sponsors. Appearing on ESPN puts them in front of a fraction of the BBC’s reach and is likely to have a direct impact on securing sponsorship.

Details about the terms or length of the deal have not been made public but ESPN state they are looking at more darts rights, along with snooker and cricket. A new sports channel has been mooted to accommodate the additional coverage.

Also unclear at the moment is whether the format of the tournament will change. With an extra day of coverage will they be screening the board finals on the Friday? The top eight seeds go straight into the Last 16 on Saturday with quarter finals the same day. The semi finals and final are played on the Sunday.

There is a bit more information to come no doubt, a fuller ESPN statement in particular, but one can’t help feeling that this is another blow to the BDO who are maintaining that this was a decision taken rather than being dropped by the BBC.

Julie Gore won the ladies event, beating Francisca Hoenselaar 4-1 in the final.

Winmau World Masters Results from this year’s tournament. Live Stream.

Sunay is finals day at the Winmau World Masters. The order of play is as follows:-

09.00 Girls Final: Zoe Jones (Eng) 4-0 Sarah Rosèn (Sweden)
09.30 Boys Final: Kurtis Atkins (Eng) 1-4 Reece Robinson (Eng)
10.00 Semi-Final Karin Krappen (Neth) 3-4 Julie Gore (Wal)
10.30 Women: Semi-Final Lisa Ashton (Eng) 3-4 Francisca Hoenselaar (Neth)
11.00 Women: Masters Final Julie Gore (Wal) 4-1 Francisca Hoenselaar (Neth)
12.00 Men: Semi-Final Martin Phillips (Wal) 5-6 Stuart kellett (Eng)
14.00 Men: Semi-Final Martin Adams (Eng) 6-3 Martin McCloskey (Rep. Ire) Live BBC2
15.30 Men: Masters Final Stuart kellett (Eng) 0-0 Martin Adams (Eng) Live BBC2

Saturday the 8 seeded players enter the tournament to take on the eight qualifiers from the floor matches. The format is best of 5 sets, with 3 legs in each set. The order of play is as follows.

09.00 Garry Thompson (England) 0 v 3 Martin Phillips (Wales)
09.30 Scott Waites (England) 3 v 0 Jerry Hendricks (Netherlands)
10.00 Stuart Kellett (England) 3 v 1 Tony West (England)
10.30 Ross Montgomery (Scotland) 2 v 3 Ted Hankey (England)
11.00 Steve West (England) 2 v 3 Ian Jones (England)
11.30 Dean Winstanley (England) 3 v 1 Stewart Rattray (Scotland)
13.00 Martin Adams (England) 3 v 2 Jan Dekker (Netherlands)
13.30 Tony O’Shea (England) 2 v 3 Martin McCloskey (Rep. Ireland)

Quarter-Finals:

Martin Adams 3 v 1 Scott Waites
Martin McCloskey 3 v 0 Dean Winstanley
Stuart Kellett 3 v 2 Ted Hankey
Martin Phillips 3 v 1 Ian Jones

The drawsheets for all events in the 2010 Winmau World Masters are available on the links below.

Mens Masters | Mens Masters (Finals) | Womens Masters | Boys Masters | Girls Masters

WINMAU CELEBRATE 65 YEARS AS A BRAND LEADER

2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the World famous Winmau darts equipment brand, and what better way to celebrate than by unveiling the brand new BLADE4 for the BBC televised 2010 Winmau World Masters? The Blade4 has a new and dynamic sector wiring system that is 50% thinner to provide maximum scoring potential, and fittingly will make its TV debut at this year’s World Masters.

Read the full press release … here. See the new Blade4 … here.

Jackpotjoy.com and Winmau extend World Masters partnership until 2013
The Winmau Dartboard Company is delighted to announce that it is extending its agreement with Jackpotjoy.com as official shirt-patch sponsors for the BBC televised Winmau World Masters.

Jackpotjoy.com began their role as official supporters of the World Masters in 2006, and the new agreement secures their relationship with Winmau until 2013.

“We are delighted with our new Winmau World Masters agreement, because it is one of many successful initiatives for Jackpotjoy.com this year”, says Lee Fenton, Chief Operating Officer.

“In April we completely re-designed our website, and more recently we have created considerable impact with the launch of our major TV and marketing campaign featuring the legendary Barbara Windsor.

“She is now being seen in newspaper advertisements and TV commercials all over the country – changing her role as ‘Queen of The Vic’ in BBC’s Eastenders to Jackpotjoy.com’s very own ‘ Queen of Bingo’.”

“Having the bubbly ‘Eastenders’ icon fronting our nationwide TV and marketing campaign is a major and hugely successful coup for Jackpotjoy.com. It also marks a significant turning point for us, because we have traditionally focused our marketing activities to online audiences.

“Jackpotjoy.com has also enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the World Masters because we have always considered our Jackpotjoy.com brand to be the perfect fit for the sport of darts and its players. With over 1.5 million unique users, we share all the fun, competitiveness and social interaction that goes with darts – from both a players and supporters perspective.”

The 16 players featured in the BBC televised 2010 Men’s Winmau World Masters finals on October 30th and 31st, including the top eight BDO Seeds – headed by reigning and double Winmau World Masters Champion MARTIN ADAMS (also the reigning Lakeside World Champion) will wear the Jackpotjoy.com patches on their playing shirts.

Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of Winmau says: “We are delighted that Jackpotjoy.com have extended their agreement with us, because we value our strong and ongoing links with such a successful, supportive and major sponsor.”

The Winmau World Masters, in association with John Smith’s and East Yorkshire Events, will be played at The City Hall, Hull from Friday, October 29th to Sunday, October 31st with live and exclusive coverage from BBC Sport over the weekend of October 30th and 31st.

The 2009 BDO Winmau World Masters will once again be the richest two-day tournament on terrestrial TV with record-breaking prize money, and the September dates have been agreed in order to provide the 2009 World Masters with the best possible scheduling times from BBC TV. They will also provide a longer gap between the World Masters and the BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships, scheduled for nine consecutive days on BBC TV from January 2nd to 10th, 2010.

�We are delighted that the BBC are screening the 36th BDO Winmau World Masters on a weekend that will provide us with the optimum amount of airtime on both the Saturday and Sunday�, says Olly Croft, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises Ltd.

�The Masters always enjoys excellent TV audiences. Last year it attracted an average audience of 1 million on the Saturday with a peak of 1.5m. On Sunday the average was 1.2m with a peak of 1.8m for the final.

�We will be looking to build on those figures this year and, with the World Master (or standby player) gaining entry to the 2010 World Pro, there is an important and solid link between the BDO�s two top BBC televised majors.�

Staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation, the Winmau World Masters have been played in Bridlington since 2002 and will be returning to The Spa for the second year since its �20 million re-development.

�We now regard Bridlington as the true home of the World Masters�, says Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of Winmau. �The Spa is a wonderful venue and the support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has played a major part in their success.

�I am also delighted to confirm that we have signed a 3-year contract with John Smith�s to continue as our associate sponsors.�

Gareth Turner, Senior Brand Manager, Ale, Scottish & Newcastle UK says: �John Smith’s are delighted to have agreed the new three-year contract with Winmau to continue as associate sponsors of the World Masters. This is a perfect fit in our darts portfolio, which includes our valued involvement with Bob Potter and the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.

�We are also fully committed to promoting darts in pubs and clubs across the country through the John Smith’s People’s Darts initiative. In January this produced our first ever John Smith�s People�s Darts Champion, Tim �Teapot� Jones, who will be competing in the 2009 World Masters as a sponsors invite.

�We are delighted that they all combine to strengthen our relationship with the sport of darts and the British Darts Organisation.”

Alan Menzies � Director of Planning and Economic Regeneration for East Riding of Yorkshire Council says: �East Riding of Yorkshire Council and East Yorkshire Events are extremely pleased that the BBC has once again agreed to screen the 2009 Winmau World Masters from The Spa, Bridlington. We believe the new September dates will allow us to showcase this amazing event to an even wider audience than ever before.

�We are also excited to announce a new five year sponsorship deal with Winmau to keep the World Masters at its true spiritual home of The Spa, Bridlington.
�This continues East Riding of Yorkshire Council�s commitment of bringing top class events to the area and further enhances East Yorkshire Events� reputation at the forefront of event delivery.

The BDO Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with players from seventy countries being invited, including singles darts champions from over 140 national and international events worldwide.

Approximately 400 players will converge on Bridlington for this year�s World Masters, which will mark the 36th anniversary of the oldest established major in world darts (1974-2009).

The World Masters are the only major Championships in darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls.

FOR SEEDING AND DRAW PURPOSES, THE CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS: FRIDAY, JULY 31ST, 2009

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONS:

MEN�S MASTER MARTIN ADAMS (ENG)
WOMEN�S MASTER FRANCIS HOENSELAAR (NETH)
BOY�S MASTER SHAUN GRIFFITHS (ENG)
GIRL�S MASTER LINDA ODEN (SWE)

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS STATISTICS

The high standard of play in the 2008 Winmau Men�s World Masters was epitomised by Martin Adams, who on his way to being crowned 2008 Winmau Men�s Master, recorded a single dart average of 35.26 in his Sem-Final with Tony O�Shea.

Tony recorded a 33.89 single dart average and lost!

Martin also hit eleven 100+ checkouts, including the highest of the tournament which won him an additional �1,000 to add to his �25,000 World Masters winning cheque. He hit the most 180�s � 18 in total � closely followed by Tony O�Shea with 15 maximums.

The overall single dart tournament average for the stage matches in the 2008 Men�s World Masters was an outstanding 31.13.

The 2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS enjoyed an average BBC TV audience of 1 million on Saturday, December 6th (11.3% share) with a peak of 1.5m (12.5%).

On Sunday, December 7th the average was 1.2m (9.0% share) with a peak of 1.8m (10.3%) for the final.

WOLFIE IS WORLD MASTER

England’s Martin Adams beat Scott Waites 7-6 in a thrilling final to claim the Winmau World Masters..

Adams, who lost to Michael van Gerwen in the 2006 final, missed three darts for the match but eventually hit double 16 to claim the title.

There was never more than a set between the players and it needed two extra legs in the final set to split them.

But the 2007 BDO world champion Adams, 52, held his nerve to collect a winner’s cheque for �25,000.

The number three seed, who averaged more than 105 to beat Tony O’Shea in the semi-finals, was never behind after the third set, but nor did he look certain of victory.

After the first two sets went with the darts, Waites – who beat Robert Wagner in his semi-final, broke the throw in the third set – hitting a 127 out-shot in the process.

But he failed to take full advantage, failing to get down from 58 with three darts in the decisive leg of the fifth set, allowing Adams to level.

The pair continued to trade sets and out-shots, Adams hitting a 160 to claim a �1,000 prize for the highest checkout and, more importantly, the seventh set.

Adams missed the bull when going for a 121 out-shot in the next set allowing Waites to level yet again as the match headed, seemingly inexorably, towards a decider.

Waites though was always under the pressure of throwing to remain level and at 6-5 down must have feared the worst as Adams put in a strong set to close on the title.

However, with the title just 20 points away and with three darts in his hand Adams threw a loose dart into the double 15 bed to bust and give Waites the chance to level again. Nervelessly he hit 96 to level the set and the same finish in the next leg to win it.

The final set reached 1-1 in legs after Adams missed a 118 out-shot, forcing decider legs with one player having to be two legs clear.

And this time Adams’ nerve held as he held his own leg and then hit the double to win the title.

Quarters and Semi Finals

Martin Adams was the highest seed left standing as BDO world champion Mark Webster and number one seed Gary Anderson both crashed out of the Winmau World Masters at the last-16 stage.

Wales’s Webster lost 3-1 to Scottish qualifier Ross Montgomery, while Anderson was beaten 3-1 by Norway’s Robert Wagner.

Montgomery’s joy was short-lived though as he lost his quarter-final 3-1 to Tony O’Shea, who had earlier defeated Ted Hankey 3-1 in the last 16. O’Shea will meet Adams in the semi final on Sunday.

‘Wolfie’ came from 2-0 down in the last 16 to sneak past Martin Atkins who missed doubles to let him in. Adams then found an easier passage past Steve Farmer, winning 3-0 to make it through to the semis and a clash with ‘Silverback’.

Scott Waites also progressed to complete the semi-final line up. Waites beat Cor Ernst 3-1 in the last 16 before getting past Steve West by the same score in the quarter final.

He will meet Wagner in the semi final and will have his work cut out. The Norwegian averaged over 100 in his demolition of Joey ten Berge in the quarter final and is looking in good form.

Ladies Competition

Last 16 – Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-0 Dee Bateman
Last 16 – Louise Carroll 4-3 Rhian Edwards
Last 16 – Karin Krappen 2-4 Irina Armstrong
Last 16 – Julie Gore 4-2 Viv Dundon
Last 16 – Francisca Hoenselaar 4-0 Karen Littler
Last 16 – Carla Molema 3-4 Tricia Wright
Last 16 – Lisa Ashton 4-0 Anne Kirk
Last 16 – Cathy Shaw 4-3 Marika Juhola
Quarter Final – Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-0 Louise Carroll
Quarter Final – Irina Armstrong 0-4 Julie Gore
Quarter Final – Francisca Hoenselaar 4-1 Tricia Wright
Quarter Final – Lisa Ashton 4-3 Cathy Shaw
Semi Final – Anastasia Dobromyslova 0-0 Julie Gore
Semi Final – Francisca Hoenselaar 0-0 Lisa Ashton

Boys Competition

Quarter Final – Jamie Lewis 4-2 Jeffrey Stigter
Quarter Final – Tuomas Tikka 4-2 Boyd Meijer
Quarter Final – Oscar Delgado 1-4 Shaun Griffiths
Quarter Final – Daniel van Mourik 4-1 Santino Broer
Semi Final – Jamie Lewis 4-2 Tuomas Tikka
Semi Final – Shaun Griffiths 4-1 Daniel van Mourik
Final – Jamie Lewis 2-4 Shaun Griffiths

Girls Competition

Quarter Final – Linda Oden 4-1 Emily Davidson
Quarter Final – Michelle Cruickshanks 4-0 Thea Kaaijk
Quarter Final – Joanne Ashby 1-4 Lynn Poolen
Quarter Final – Dana Verhaegen 0-4 Aliisa Koskivirta
Semi Final – Linda Oden 4-1 Michelle Cruickshanks
Semi Final – Lynn Poolen 4-0 Aliisa Koskivirta
Final – Linda Oden 4-0 Lynn Poolen

The event will be played at “The Spa” Bridlington, Yorkshire on 5th – 7th December.

The closing stages will be featured live on BBC Television on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th december.

Men Gr. 1-4
Men Gr. 5-8
Men Gr. 9-12
Men Gr. 13-16
Men Finals

Women Groups 1-4
Women Groups 5-8

Boys All Groups
Girls All Groups

The above draw could be subject to change in the case of late withdrawals.

ALPHABETICAL LISTS OF PARTICIPANTS

SEEDS MEN WOMEN BOYS GIRLS

The Spa, Bridlington: December 5th to 7th, 2008

The eight men�s seeds who will compete in the BBC televised stages of the 2008 Winmau World Masters at The Spa, Bridlington over the weekend of Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th are:

1 GARY ANDERSON (SCOT)
2 MARK WEBSTER (WALES)
3 MARTIN ADAMS (ENG)
4 SCOTT WAITES (ENG)
5 DARRYL FITTON (ENG)
6 GARY ROBSON (ENG)
7 TED HANKEY (ENG)
8 EDWIN MAX (NETH)

The Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with Champions from over 140 National and International Singles events worldwide being invited to compete. Approximately 300 players from thirty-five countries will be at The Spa, Bridlington for this year�s World Masters.

It is the only major Championship in world darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls � and attracts thousands of darts players, officials and supporters from right around the globe to Bridlington each year.

BBC Television coverage of the final stages of the Men�s World Masters will be live on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th for a total of seven and a half hours.

The BBC TV schedule (subject to change) is:

Saturday, December 6th Live on BBC-1: 1PM to 4.30PM
Sunday, December 7th Live on BBC-2: 1.30PM to 5.30PM

PLAYING SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

9AM DOORS OPEN
11AM TOE-THE-OCHE: Players from over thirty countries play on a multi-board system to qualify for the stage matches to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission �10

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH: Stage Matches

8AM DOORS OPEN
9AM GIRLS FINAL (BEST OF 5 LEGS) + PRESENTATION
9.30AM BOYS FINAL (BEST OF 5 LEGS) + PRESENTATION
10.30AM-1.30PM MEN�S LAST 16 (BEST OF 5 SETS)
2PM: INTERVAL
2.20-4PM MEN�S QUARTER-FINALS (BEST OF 5 SETS)
4.30PM PRESENTATION TO LOSING QUARTER-FINALISTS + CONCLUSION.

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission �25

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH: Stage Matches

10AM DOORS OPEN
11AM &11.30AM WOMEN�S SEMI-FINALS (BEST OF 7 LEGS)
12 NOON WOMEN�S FINAL (BEST OF 7 LEGS) +PRESENTATION
1.30PM & 2.45PM MEN�S SEMI-FINALS (BEST OF 11 SETS)
4PM INTERVAL
4.10PM MEN�S FINAL (BEST OF 13 SETS) Plus tie-breaker.
5.15PM PRESENTATION
5.30PM CONCLUSION

(All times are for guidance only and the BDO reserve the right to change the schedule).

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission �25

WEEKEND SPECTATOR PASS (FRI/SAT & SUN) �50

THE SPA BOX OFFICE: 01262-678258

PRIZE MONEY:

MEN�S MASTERS CHAMPION: �25,000
RUNNER-UP: �10,000
JOINT 3RD: �3,000 x 2
JOINT 5TH: �1,250 x 4
JOINT 9TH: �500 x 8

TOTAL MEN�S PRIZE MONEY: �50,000

WOMEN�S MASTERS CHAMPION: �5,000
RUNNER-UP: �1,500
JOINT 3RD: �750 x 2
JOINT 5TH: �500 x 4

TOTAL WOMEN�S PRIZE MONEY: �10,000

WINMAU Highest Checkout Award Men & Women: �1,000

PRIZE MONEY GRAND TOTAL: �61,000

PLUS a BDO Achievement Award for Televised 9-Dart 501: �2,000

The International Play-Offs for the 2009 BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships will take place on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2008. Doors will open at 10AM and play starts at 12 NOON.