Twenty-six Niue dart players will be flying in to compete in a dart competition in Rarotonga.

The Darts Cook Islands Association officially named their national team last week for the upcoming games against Aotearoa New Zealand’s Niue team next month.

Twenty six Niue dart players will be flying in to compete in the tournament that will be held on Saturday July 22, Wednesday 24 and Friday July 26.

Since April, young darts enthusiasts have shown commitment and drive to the sport, improving their skills and developing more confidence.

Fifteen young people have been selected for the Youth Development team and will be representing the Cook Islands in the upcoming games.

On Monday, the youth and national team started training at the Tupapa Maraerenga Sports Centre.

The Invitation Team (Team 1) Youth are: Desmond Rongo, Davis Tetauru, Joseph George, Tzemis Tuara, Benjamin Aurupa, Nicholas Terii, Maeva Kirikava Jnr, Etu Kirikava and Clayton Armstrong; Men - Anka Metua (Captain) Joel Metua and Marcus Maoate.

The Team 2 Men are: Marsh Tamatea (Captain), Charlie Hosking, Aaron Tangapiri, James Mata, Hope Villacorte, Parish Naidu, Vainetutai Windy, Terei George, Terefa Tarau, Teina Tearii, Roy Peraua and Enoka Teaukura.

The Female Youth team are: Malee Aurupa, Nanny Aurupa, Tiare Williams, Tangi Tangapiri, Rangi Teau, Tina Daniel; Women - Moana Tetauru (Captain), Maria Greig, Uriau Peraua, Terii Riro and Juliet Tuakana.

Darts was revived in the country during the first Cook Islands Games in 2020 when an incredible number of people showed interest and signed up to participate in the sport.

Following the Games the Darts Cook Islands Association was established.

In August 2021, the Rarotonga Darts Tournament commenced with eight clubs and a registration playing list of 150 members.

Since then, the code now has 12 registered Rarotonga clubs with close to 500 player memberships.
Two dart clubs from the Pa Enua - the Arenikau Darts Club and the Mauke Island Darts have recently signed as sub-associations of Darts Cook Islands.

This allows both clubs to qualify for a spot in the Cook Islands team for the upcoming South Pacific Darts (SPD) Championships in Fiji.

Darts Cook Islands have proven their mettle in the Pacific, in January the team competed in the SPD championships in Tonga for the first time, returning home with two gold medals in the Men's and Women's divisions.