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The Rise Of Mission Darts

The Rise Of Mission Darts

Alex Moss |

How Mission became a force in the darts world

Mission has quickly become a household name in the world of darts with its roster of talented players making their mark on the oche. From Josh Rock winning the PDC World Youth Championship and multiple titles on the professional circuit to Ritchie Edhouse’s surprise run to European Championship glory, wherever you look players from Team Mission are now front and centre on the biggest stages.

In this blog, Darts Corner looks at the history of Mission Darts, the brand’s sponsored players who have hit the headlines and the young stars from the Mission Academy to watch out for in the future.

The birth of Mission Darts

Mission first launched in 2019 with the brand’s ethos that darts is more than a sport: it is a way of life. Based in Bolton, England, the new darts manufacturer took inspiration from all around the world to create a range of unique darts equipment that aims to improve every player’s performance and enjoyment of the game.

The brand’s attention to detail has led to some exciting new and innovative products, such as the Mission Torus range of dartboard lights. The Mission name has grown in notoriety through its sponsorship of players, with the likes of Alan Soutar, Martin Lukeman and Ritchie Edhouse amongst the first professionals on the PDC tour to wear the Mission logo on their shirts.

Josh Rock: Mission’s first world champion

“It’s been a whirlwind few months gaining my tour card and signing for Team Mission. I’m really pumped to show what I’m made of.” Those were the words of Josh Rock after signing up with Mission in February 2022, just a few weeks after securing his PDC tour card at Q-School. It’s fair to say the young Northern Irishman has shown everyone what he’s made of since then.

During his first year on the PDC tour, ‘Rocky’ picked up his first senior title on the Players Championship circuit, before announcing himself on the big stage with an unforgettable nine-dart leg against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts. Rock went on to become Mission’s first world champion by lifting the PDC World Youth Championship later that year.

‘Rocky’ posted a record 104.13 average in a 6-1 win against Nathan Girvan in the final at Butlin’s Minehead. The following two years has seen Rock make more strides as Team Mission’s highest-ranked player, winning more PDC titles on the ProTour, including the Dutch Darts Championship earlier this year, and breaking into the world’s top 16 for the first time.

Ritchie Edhouse: Mission’s first major champion

Whilst many observers may have expected the prodigious young talent that is Josh Rock to become Mission’s first major champion, it was Ritchie Edhouse who took that particular accolade with a memorable run at the European Championship last month.

‘Madhouse’ had been enjoying his best year to date on the PDC tour, with his 2024 campaign having included debuts at the prestigious World Matchplay and World Grand Prix events. Equipped with the Mission Force 90 all-in-one flights and the Mission REACH Arm Sleeve, the Enfield thrower was producing some of his best-ever performances, including an astonishing 120.24 average in one match on the ProTour.

Ahead of the European Championship, the 41-year-old had yet to reach the last 16 of a major tournament. That would all change in an incredible four days in Dortmund, Germany as Edhouse upset the odds and went all the way to win the title. A 109 average in a 6-1 win in his opening game against Gian van Veen set the tone for what was to come, as Edhouse followed that up with victories over Michael Smith, Gary Anderson, Luke Woodhouse and Jermaine Wattimena to win the title.

Martin Lukeman: 2024 Grand Slam of Darts finalist

Only a few weeks removed from Ritchie Edhouse’s stunning run to the European Championship title, it was the turn of another Team Mission player to make their mark at a major tournament. Martin Lukeman had a debut to remember at the Grand Slam of Darts earlier this month, beating former world champions Peter Wright and Rob Cross on his way to a first major final.

‘Smash’ had quite literally smashed his way through the tour card holder qualifiers to earn a first appearance at the Grand Slam, posting 103, 104, 103 and 107 averages in his four matches. And the 39-year-old took that red-hot form on the floor onto the big stage, finishing top of his group at the Grand Slam with a perfect three wins from three games to advance to the knockout stage.

Lukeman was not done there, though, as he saw off Ross Smith and Cross (for a second time) to progress to his first major semi-final. On the final day, the Watford ace averaged just under 100 as he got the better of Mickey Mansell, ensuring Team Mission had a major finalist for the second tournament in a row.

Connor Scutt and Wessel Nijman: Mission’s next stars

Beyond Mission’s major finalists, the brand’s sponsored players also includes some of the most talented up and coming players in the game. Connor Scutt has enjoyed a breakthrough year winning a stack of titles across various codes and regaining his PDC tour card.

‘The Sniper’ lost his tour card at the end of last season, but has rebounded in 2024 by finishing top of the Challenge Tour – the PDC’s secondary tour – to secure a two-year tour card. The 28-year-old recently made his debut at the Grand Slam of Darts, where he showcased his skills on a global stage with a 5-0 whitewash of Dave Chisnall in his opening group game. Scutt followed that up with a run to the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals, where he narrowly lost out 10-9 to Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Wessel Nijman is a name on the lips of many darts fans right now after a stunning 2024 campaign. The young Dutchman topped this year’s PDC Development Tour with seven tournament victories, whilst he has also caught the eye in the senior ranks too. The 24-year-old picked up a Players Championship title in October, beating the Masters champion Stephen Bunting 8-5 in the final.

Nijman’s stock rose even higher at the recent Grand Slam, averaging 107 for the tournament with match averages of 106, 105 and 111 but somehow finished bottom of his group without a point. Despite going out in the group stages, Nijman’s high level of performances has gained plenty of admirers and he heads to the PDC World Darts Championship as one to watch.

13 Team Mission players heading to Ally Pally this year

A clear sign of Mission’s emergence as one of the leading darts brands is through the number of their sponsored players qualifying for the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship. Following the last-chance tour card holder qualifiers, Mission will have 13 players wearing their logo at Alexandra Palace when the tournament gets under way in December.

Mission’s 13-player contingent is the joint most of any darts manufacturer at this year’s World Championship, alongside Target, with Winmau (10 players), Unicorn (8), Bull’s NL and Red Dragon (both 7) the next highest on the list.

Team Mission’s Josh Rock and Ritchie Edhouse both start their Ally Pally campaigns in the second round as seeded players, with recent ProTour winners Wessel Nijman, Ryan Joyce and Alan Soutar joined by Madars Razma, Martin Lukeman, Stephen Burton, Connor Scutt, James Hurrell, Dylan Slevin, Rhys Griffin and Xiaochen Zong in the first round.

Mission Academy: Darts stars of the future

Under the watchful eye of the brand’s player development manager Darryl Fitton, the Mission Academy features some of the most exciting prospects in the darting world. Thomas Banks, 18, grabbed the headlines when he won a week at the MODUS Super Series, Archie Self, 15, has made big strides in 2024 by winning the JDC Advanced Tour and the WDF Boys World Championship, and Lex Paeshuyse, 13, instantly became a name to watch out for after becoming the World Masters boys champion.

Mission’s academy includes players from 12 different countries, with top teenage darts talent from the UK and across Europe in Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as further afield in India, all representing the brand. Mission recently had three players from their academy competing in the WDF Boys World Championship, with Self, Paeshuyse and Balazs Szotak all part of the eight-player field at Lakeside. 

This year's JDC World Championship final will be contested between two players from the Mission Academy, as Belgium's Paeshuyse goes up against England's Daniel Stephenson on the Alexandra Palace stage on December 21.

What’s next for Mission Darts?

The future looks bright for Mission Darts with its growing roster of sponsored players enjoying lots of success on the oche. With a major champion now in their ranks, along with many more high-profile players competing on the PDC tour and exciting young talent coming through in their academy, Mission is a darts brand that is sure to continue to grow in the years to come.

Mission supplies equipment for those who are passionate about the game. Whether darts is just your hobby or if it means everything to you, the brand’s collection of darts and accessories can be enjoyed by players of every level. Explore the full Mission range, including darts, dartboards and accessories and join the growing number of players choosing Mission to help take their game to the next level!

Pictures: Kelly Deckers/PDC

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