Bill Hammond Jr. could never have envisioned his entire family engaging in competitive darts, let alone having a teenager emerge victorious in the world cup. His darts journey began in the ’90s when a friend introduced him to the game, initially assuming it was a joke. To his surprise, he displayed talent in the sport. Meeting his now-wife, Sandy Hope, led them to compete together in darts, deepening their commitment to each other and the game.
Their son, 17-year-old Peyton Hammond, aspires to pursue a career in darts, aiming to capitalize on the abundant opportunities in the sport, particularly in the UK. Peyton recently clinched the World Darts Federation World Cup Youth Singles 2025 title in Seoul, South Korea, and plans to relocate to England for more frequent and lucrative tournaments. Prior to his move, Peyton and his family are dedicated to promoting darts across Canada.
Despite the common perception of darts as a casual pub game, national champion Jayda Hammond, aged 16, emphasizes its significance beyond leisure, highlighting its role in uniting families. The Hammond-Hope family, dispersed across Canada, finds solidarity through darts. During the pandemic, they embraced virtual darts sessions, fostering Peyton’s skill development from a young age.
Darts enthusiasts attest to its benefits in enhancing hand-eye coordination, mental acuity, physical strength, and math proficiency. Described as an affordable sport to engage in, darts requires minimal investment in equipment. While competitiveness exists, the essence of darts lies in enjoyment and camaraderie, with a supportive community evident in Canadian tournaments.
Despite challenges in attracting newcomers to the sport, the family faces obstacles in expanding participation, such as schools deeming darts as potentially hazardous due to their pointed nature. Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook remains crucial for disseminating information on dart leagues and events, encouraging interested individuals to connect with local groups for further engagement.