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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Although darts is still commonly thought of as something to play in a bar between drinks the Fort Simpson Darts Society is working to change that perception.

Darts is mental game according to Brenda Moreau, president of the Fort Simpson Darts Society. -NNSL file photo Haward

"It's a mental game," said Brenda Moreau, the president of the society.

"If you like working with numbers to beat someone mentally, it's fun."

Members of the society meet every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the curling lounge at the recreation centre to challenge each other. The weekly dart games started in late September and the society is always looking for more people to join.

Moreau has a list of reasons why people should try out the sport.

For one, darts is an adult sport, she said. It's also not as physically demanding as most of the other sports offered in the village, said Moreau.

People should wear comfortable clothes and shoes because they'll be standing for awhile but that's all you need, she said.

The society allows new members four free nights to see if they enjoy the sport before asking for the $85 membership fee. In addition to playing locally the fee includes a National Darts Federation of Canada membership card that allows a holder to play at the territorials and in competitions across Canada.

The atmosphere at the weekly dart nights is relaxed, said Moreau.

"It's a comfy little crowd," she said.

The regular five or six members usually play round robin games for a little more than an hour. If people are slow arriving the night starts with fun games.

"It gets everyone to socialize a bit," said Moreau.

People who are new to the sport don't need to worry. The experienced players are ready to lend out darts and coach people on throwing techniques and different game plays.

For the first year or so the society encourages new players to relax and have fun while they focus on the basics, said Steve Gooderham, who's been a member for 10 years.

As they progress people can start thinking about strategy, said Gooderham. Like anything being a good darts player takes practice, he said.

For Gooderham darts is a way to relax and spend time with friends both locally and at tournaments.

"It's something I enjoy," he said.

Darts also has the advantage of being an inexpensive sport, portable and universal, he said.

"Anywhere you go you can take your equipment with you. There seems to be a dart board everywhere," said Gooderham.