We are currently aware of all players wanting to know about the Oceanic Masters and Winmau Satellite playoff details and dates for their calendars ..we are fielding a high number of enquiries and are limited at this point of time on the information we can provide
At present the Board is meeting on a daily basis to discuss the best way we can deliver these events to all players .Our 2 key focuses at present are to complete our Victorian and Queensland legs of the Satellite Tour so all tables are complete ..We need clear restrictions from both states and available weekends with both our venues to make this successful (Brisbane currently in lockdown)
After this time we will assess both The travel bubble between Australia and NZ and the ability for travel of all states to one venue where vaccination rates of that particular state may also need to be considered for a dart competition to run of any kind..it is worthy noting that all players entering these events will need to be passport ready and possibly may need to be covid passport ready if they want to leave the country based upon DFAT advice ..For those asking DFAT will grant permission to both players to leave Australia based upon Australian Representation via the DPA
After this time our Board need to assess the travel situation to the United Kingdom ,assess airfares with our sponsors and then consult the PDC board to finalise places in the event for the event to proceed based upon travel advice
At this time our assessments are precise that travel times getting to the UK are currently ok (24 hr flight)..however returning to Australia is currently extremely hard if not impossible with current quarantine caps in place by the Australian Government currently showing 23000+ people still waiting to get back to Australia
As was the case with our returning Aussie players after last years event we do of course have logistics on the ground in London to provide all support necessary but this planning needs careful execution which can only be done on a day by day basis
Dartplayers Australia will endeavour to keep all players updated as we progress through this cycle.. We have looked at the online playing option through our hubs in each city via the Winmau DSL darts Open but again this may be limited to all players by United Kingdom Travel requirements at the time
We thank all players for their patience in whats been a very tough year.. We are 95% through all allocated events which is a credit to all of those who have competed this year..It is realistic to say that the State bubbles will need to stay in place for 2022 once again until Australias Vaccinations rates can get upto near 90-95% based on health advice
Regards
Kevin Berlyn
DPA Chair