Ten top players from the “golden” Darts Cook Islands Association are set to defend their historic gold medals at the 4th South Pacific Darts Championship (SPDA) to be held at the Metro Gym in Suva, Fiji, from January 20-26.

The 29-member team will depart Rarotonga tomorrow (Thursday) to compete against Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

In January 2023, the Darts Cook Islands (DCI) men’s team made history when they smashed their way to gold against Tonga finishing 6-2, while the women’s division snatched the gold from Niue 6-5.

“We have to defend our titles this year, not just the team’s golds, but also the individual titles,” said Kopurai Anguna, president of the Cook Islands Darts Association, and secretary general of the South Pacific Darts Championship.

Selections for the squad came from the DCI statistics from the three rounds played throughout each year.

Key statistics are noted for each player, as well as high scores and finishes for both men and women.

Anguna said this time around players have been undergoing structured training sessions including having to wear proper shoes.

“During training we take the statistics and feedback information to the players, where they’re at, where they need to be finishing at, even as far as their stance, their releases, hand movements,” Anguna said.

“We know through all of that and the discussions about their progress that we have gone a step further up.

“The preparation has been quite good and everyone in the team will have a game at the championship.”

The SPDC format is very different from what the Cook Islands normally do.

“This tournament is a six-man team but we’re up to it, we know exactly what we need to do,” she added.

A special combination on the team is the mother-daughter duo of Tearii Riro and Tangi Tangapiri, who is also a national football representative. Both women play for the Ma’i Darts Club.

James Mata from the Avatiu-Nikao Swampee Darts Club is also a member of the squad. He has scored DCI’s highest number of 180s (12) for the season, and high finishes.

Two Cook Islands women, Tarita Dean and Taylor-Marsh Kahiki, who are based in New Zealand, will join the team. Kahiki is ranked fourth among New Zealand women and 45^th in the World Darts Federation main ranking women.

Anguna would like to acknowledge the local community, former dart players and business sector for their support and sponsorship towards their fundraisers and the monster raffle that was drawn recently.

“We have great sponsors like the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI), Charlies Café and Bar, TEMs Store, Pacific Resort, Vodafone and others who we really appreciate. We couldn’t have done this without them,” she said.

Darts Cook Islands Association secretary Maria Tuoro said funds raised from the major raffle covered all the expenses including airfares, accommodation, and uniforms. BCI also sponsored water bottles, towels and gave a grant.

“We are very fortunate,” said Tuoro, “all the team members did well to sell their raffles.”

Tuoro said the travelling costs, including transport and overnighting in Auckland, then flying into Nadi and onto Suva, has been covered.

“We have one goal and that’s to bring the gold back,” Tuoro said.

The 2025 Cook Islands Darts Team to SPDC are as follows:

Management team: Manager - Kopurei Anguna, Media – Maria Tuoro, Aporo and Shona Kirikava, Terangi and Tui Sila, Ina Atai, Travel Williams, and Mary DeLuze Hosking.

Men: Temata Matapo, Charlie Tapurau Hosking, Marsh Tamatea, Terepai Urirau, Puruata Tuapou, Manolito Tekopua, James Mata, Enoka Teaukura, Marc Marlon Rebollos, Roimata Peraua.

Women: Metua Kite, Teremoana Ioane, Tearii Riro, Rotana Tangapiri, Moeroa Raeina, Gardenia Moetaua, Taylor-Marsh Kahaki, Tarita Dean, Claudia Pepe, Kopurei Anguna.