Stephen Bunting spent time away from the Premier League Darts stage in Aberdeen this week, meeting local players and helping open a new grassroots darts facility as part of the PDC’s latest community push. The former Masters champion visited the Hopeville Social Club in Inverurie in the build-up to Night 13, joining PDC officials and local members to officially launch the revamped venue. The visit formed part of the “Darts on Your Doorstep” initiative, a scheme aimed at improving facilities and strengthening links between professional players and grassroots clubs across the UK.
Bunting took part in a Q&A with members and also got involved on the oche, challenging local players during the session in front of a packed club. “It’s fantastic to represent the PDC and Darts on Your Doorstep,” Bunting said in conversation with the PDC. “Darts is a grassroots sport and it's brilliant to see the investment that's being made by the PDC and the support from Smart Energy GB. The growth of the scheme has been incredible. It’s creating opportunities for so many local players, and it’s a privilege to be part of an event like this.”
Bunting is the latest Premier League player to take part in the initiative, following appearances from Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey, Jonny Clayton and Damon Heta over the past year. Since its launch in November 2024, more than 50 clubs across the UK have received upgraded facilities through the scheme, with new dartboards installed and community sessions delivered to help support local venues. PDC chief executive Matt Porter highlighted the impact the programme has already had. “Darts on Your Doorstep has been a big success since being launched in November 2024, and it’s fantastic to see clubs around the UK benefitting from the scheme.”
“I’m delighted that we can continue working with Smart Energy GB to promote the benefits of smart meters across Britain, as well as transform the darts facilities of grassroots venues,” Porter added. “Venues such as the Hopeville Social Club are such an instrumental part of the community, and darts plays a vital role for so many of the club’s members.” A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB added: “Local darts clubs play an important role in communities across Great Britain. Projects like these, that provide improved facilities and equipment, are vital to make sure the clubs are able to thrive and harness community spirit.”
The visit came in the build-up to Night 13 of the Premier League Darts, which took place in Aberdeen later that evening. On the oche, it proved a much shorter night for Stephen Bunting, who was edged out 6-5 by Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals despite pushing the contest all the way to a deciding leg. At the other end of the draw, Luke Littler once again took centre stage, defeating Luke Humphries 6-5 in a high-quality final to secure back-to-back nightly wins. That victory saw Littler return to the top of the Premier League table, underlining his momentum heading into the closing weeks of the league phase.
