Inaugural WA Ladies State Dart Team Canberra 1971
J Gurr, A Lowen, R Cullen, A Robinson, J Tyson, I Millen, F Jones, J Short, M Walker, N Baker
A Ladies team of social dart players travelled to Canberra in 1971 to compete in the then unofficial Australasian Ladies Darts Championships. On returning to Perth it was decided to form the Perth Association and this was done with the assistance of the late Mrs Isabel James. On 1 July 1971, Isabel became the President and remained in that position until her death in 1977. The Secretary was the late Mrs June Gurr (Turner) and the Treasurer, the late Mrs Joyce Tyson. Both ladies held office until they each retired in 2008. This was the commencement of Ladies Darts in Western Australia and led to Western Australia competing again in NSW in the Australasian Ladies Darts Championships which became official in 1972.
WA State Ladies Dart Team Sydney 1972
(L-R) P Browne, M Morfitt, C Clayden, J Gurr, J Tyson (Manageress), M Walker, I James (Captain), F Harris, V Sutton
Perth Ladies Darts Association (PLDA), commenced with 10 teams playing once a week at the old City Club in Central Hay Street, Perth until moving to the Central Sports Club (previously known as the Civil Service Club). As the Association grew to 18 teams, we then moved to the API House on Murray Street, Perth where we played for over 10 years. In 1990, we relocated to our present venue, The Perth and Tattersalls Bowling & Recreation Club on Plain Street, East Perth.
Membership gradually dwindled from 24 teams in the 1980’s , where most members went on to form new Associations such as Kewdale, Northern Suburbs and Wannaroo. It is pleasing to know that PLDA was responsible for the very first Association being formed and that so many Ladies continue to enjoy this great game of darts.
Over the years, the age of our players ranged from just 10 years old to over 85 years old with several families combining as teams & doubles combinations. We continue to play our fixtured games on a Wednesday evening and nominate two teams in each of the Darts WA Metropolitan, State and Lower-Grade team events.