In case anyone wasn't aware, I won my local pubs darts knockout tournament last night (yes, I'm still chuffed to bits about it) I was runner up last year and this year I went one step further beating the 2 best players in the team along the way. House champion - nice ring to it.
For the last couple of months, I have been the subject of discussion regarding where I will be playing my darts next season. It seems pretty unanimous to the team that I will be leaving and I will playing for The Cross Keys next season. Even the landlady thinks I'm leaving when she said "Oh I thought you were going to the Keys next season"
A couple of things have contributed to the rise of this rumour; I practice in there often, I play with most of their team in the SuperLeague, I'm regarded as 1 of the best players by my team (I still think I'm a little behind a couple) I take the game more seriously than anyone on the team, I openly admit I want to improve my game. Given human nature to gossip, I can see why they seem convinced I'm leaving. I know that it's not just my team who I think I'm leaving based on comments from other people.
The team seem to have been planning life without me next season with a few people rumoured to be joining the team. If I left, there would be no animosity as they know it would be to improve my darts not to go glory hunting. The Keys did win the league last season, runner up this season. But do I want to be fighting for my place all the time? I have to in the SuperLeague and I expect to given the standard of the players. If I did join the Keys, I am good enough to be competitive and give myself a great chance of being picked. I know that I may not get a singles game but I should at least get a game. Having to fight in theory should make you a better player - and I want to be a better player - but there are reasons to stay.
I've enjoyed taking on the captains role. It has added pressure but I think it has focused me a little more. Fighting for your place may improve you but so does playing regularly and I get that where I am. Leaving would only change 2 fixtures as I would be playing the same teams anyway. There's no guarantee the Keys want me. These new players rumoured to come in are very good players so it would strengthen the team and increase competition anyway. Even if they don't join us, the team is still pretty good to be competitive, we lost alot of games 5-4 this season. Can still win the Singles tournament no matter who I play for.
I love the game and there is a risk of increasing the pressure to fight for my place may reduce that. Last year when I was really struggling for form I lost all enjoyment of it and I don't want that to happen again. I like the idea of just turning up knowing I will get a singles game and if I play well, a doubles game aswell and that's even if I wasn't captain. The only pressure comes from what I put on myself. I have tournaments to play in to play better players and get used to the pressure of that. Having 1 aspect where that isn't there could be very important to becoming better - enjoyment will lead to having motivation to practice more.
Next week is the finals of the 5 a side and 7 a side tournaments. We are in both and I'm confident with a full strength side, we will do well especially in the 5's. This is my main focus at the moment, to deliver some silverware for the team. We came runners up in the 7's last year (didn't qualify for the 5's) and I'd love to go 1 better for the team. The Cross Keys will be in the 7's (they won it last year) so something may get said then regarding whether they would like me to sign for them.
So it all boils down to 1 simple question, stay or go?
