INUVIK - Inuvik dart players are sharpening their game in anticipation of the upcoming territorial competition.

Lindsey Blake, who has been throwing darts in Inuvik for more than 10 years, said the sport has been losing male players.

"We used to have more guys coming out to play, but that number has declined in the last few years," said Blake.

Part of the problem might be people moving away as Blake doesn't think the low numbers mean there's a lack of interest in the sport.

"When people move away, there aren't any new players to take their place," he said.

"There isn't even a youth league in town, so there aren't any young guys coming out."

Blake said he has been playing darts more often lately, meeting with other men who are going to Yellowknife for the first week of March.

"We get together more often as it gets closer to the territorials," said Blake.

"Sometimes we meet at a friend's place to play, or extra nights at the Legion."

Thursday nights are designated for men's darts, Mondays are for mixed league and Wednesdays are for ladies' darts.

Blake said he is looking forward to the territorial playdowns, with an eye on the top 10.

"The highest I've placed is 12th, which was in 2003," said Blake.

The top 10 players from Yellowknife's territorial playdown will travel to the national competition.

Mike Lindsay has competed at the national level.

"I attended my first territorial tournament a few years after I started playing," said Lindsay.

He has placed in the top 10 in the territories more than a few times. His best ranking was third overall.

He said the national level is a good competition, but southern players may have an edge on Northerners.

"The Northern players don't have as much exposure to big tournaments, so I think it's a bit harder for us," said Lindsay.

He would also like to see more men come out and play some darts.

"It would be good for the league to have some new players out at the Legion," said Lindsay.