Darts Cook Islands is making history with a team of 31 in Tonga to compete in their first ever South Pacific Darts Championships from January 16 - 21.

Today, the Cook Islands will be playing their first game against Tonga, the host nation, before taking on Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and defending champions, Niue.

“Our starting line-up of teams are ready,” said Maria Tuoro, the Darts Cook Islands tour manager.

The team departed Rarotonga last week and spent a few days in Aotearoa New Zealand where a fundraiser to support the team to Tonga was held as well as the blessing and distribution of uniforms to the travelling squad.

Six team members from Aotearoa and five from Australia also joined the squad to Tonga.

The national team members are staying at Tanoa Dateline International and have been hosted by families and friends in Tonga, which included a beautiful luncheon by Soane and Kesaia Filo and their children – their daughter Telesia is married to Cook Islander Charlie Arere who both live in the Cook Islands.

On Sunday, the team attended St Mary’s Parish in Nuku’alofa on the anniversary of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption and were received by Father Loni.

The youngest member of the team Davis Tetauru, is “happy” to make his debut in his first overseas competition. 

Tuoro would like to acknowledge the platinum support and pledge from the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) of $3000 to support the team with uniforms.

The pledge will ensure exposure and a platform on social media to be promoted and the BCI logo to be advertised on all travel gear and merchandise.

Darts Cook Islands was formed in 2020 to support the Cook Islands Games. Two years later in 2022 membership has increased to 359 members, made up of 12 clubs and 50 teams.