While some take the game very seriously, for most soft tip dart players, the sport is a chance to socialize and compete with other teams of similar skill levels. At the end of the season, hundreds of teams from around the world participate in a tournament in Las Vegas.
Portage la Prairie has a long history of soft tip dart leagues and Darielle Brasher, a team captain of one Portage squad, recently led her squad to an undefeated victory in their division at that Las Vegas event. The group, part of a Monday night soft-tip dart league organized by Aactive Coin and based out of Army Navy Unit 13 in Portage, earned their spot through a random draw.
From local league to Vegas victory
The team competed in the National Dart Association (NDA) Team Dart tournament, hosted at the Westgate on the Las Vegas Strip, which attracts players globally. Brasher’s division, Level 10, featured roughly 50 teams and marked the event’s lowest tier, while the Masters division topped the competition.
“We play from September till April,” Brasher says. “Our team was drawn to go to Vegas. We ended up undefeated—we didn’t lose a single match.”
Over three days, the team played 10 matches in a double-elimination format, securing wins across four rounds on Friday and three each on Saturday and Sunday. Each member took home $375 U.S. and a trophy.
A surprising underdog story
“It felt really good, considering we weren’t expecting to make it past Friday,” Brasher adds. “To go all the way to Sunday undefeated was a really neat experience.”
While their division wasn’t televised, higher-tier matches were streamed on YouTube. This marked Brasher’s second appearance at the tournament, though her first with this team. A previous attempt with another group ended during Friday’s round-robin stage.
A welcoming environment for all skill levels
The four-member squad credits their local league for fostering camaraderie.
“I’d really like to thank Aactive Coin and Army Navy Unit 13 here in Portage,” Brasher notes. “They give us a fun night to get out and meet people every Monday.”
Though the current season has ended, recruitment for September’s league is underway. “It’s definitely open to all types of players,” Brasher continues. “You do not have to be good. We aren’t, and we still made it to Vegas.”
Prospective players can contact Aactive Coin or attend a sign-up night in late August. Team photos from the Vegas win will be shared with local media, celebrating a victory that’s already boosting interest in the humble Monday night league.