INUVIK - The territory's top dart players joined the bustle of sporting events at the Midnight Sun Complex last weekend to compete for the chance to represent the territory at this summer's national tournament.

Inuvik's Michel Lindsay played well in last weekend's Territorial Darts Tournament, March 18 to 20 at the Midnight Sun Complex. She made the territorial team, taking eighth place out of 27 women. - Kira Curtis/NNSL photos

Over the weekend 52 competitors tested their mettle to determine the eight men and eight women - plus one alternate for each division - who will represent the NWT at the Canadian National Adult Championships in Edmonton, June 14 to 17.

"The weekend went awesome - no major incidents, everyone was co-operative," said Paul Morey, president of the Inuvik Darts Association.

The sportsmanship showed with little signs of fatigue even as the weekend wound down. A clear contrast was evident between the intense focus at the dart boards and the laissez-faire dancing, drinking and eating among the tables of players watching.

"Everyone is pretty much friends," Morey said. "Camaraderie is very strong. Most people enjoy the game, actually, enjoy the sport," he said. "We're trying to make it a sport now. It helps with our funding, we'll be eligible for extra funding they give to sports."

But for now the Inuvik team is working hard fundraising.

Six of the players in the top nine women and top nine men are from Inuvik.

"Basically you get eight men and eight females plus one alternate each to go to the nationals," Morey said proudly, listing off the host town's players that made the cut.

The Inuvik men representing the territory are Mike Lindsay, whose daughter made the women's team, and Morey. The women from town had a strong showing and will make up half of the territorial team with four of the eight players. They are Lena Church, Joy Cathers, Shannon Jensen and Michel Lindsay.

Being host community for territorials has benefits. Inuvik made up slightly more than half of the competitors - with 27 darts players, the odds were favourable. Morey is hopeful to keep his team's numbers high and is aiming to send a full men's and women's team to next year's territorials in Yellowknife.

"Hopefully next year we'll have enough money to send at least 16 people to go to Yellowknife to play in these territorials again," Morey said. "Our main purpose is to raise money and make people eligible so they can attend and further their darting skills."

But with all the fun and winning aside, all the Inuvik team members wore an important badge on their arm and proudly showed it off on the cuff of their sleeve, flexing like a character from 'The Outsiders.' Embroidered on the teams sleeves read "Blood".

"We've had a guy playing with us for the past three or four years," Morey said thoughtfully, "Gary Harley, and most people know him as 'Blood.'"

Harley, a veteran of the territorial showdown, was from Inuvik and an integral part of the Inuvik Darts Association. However, Harley died last December from cancer and was deeply missed by his team.

"He was a good character, and he loved the game of darts also," Morey said. "So what we did, is on our jerseys, we put his name on our sleeve just in memory, just to help honour his legacy."

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