INUVIK - An NWT darts competition returns to Inuvik March 14 to 16.

Dart players in Inuvik have been waiting for the territorial competition to be hosted here for the last two years.

Paul Morey, president of the Inuvik Darts Association, is looking for sponsors for the territorials, which will be held next month at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Inuvik Darts Association president Paul Morey said that to enter the competition, you must qualify.

"We hold playdowns in each individual community," he said.

"All communities are eligible, but not all participate."

There will be competitors on five teams vying for the eight spots on the national team.

"We have two from Yellowknife, one from Inuvik, one from Norman Wells and Fort Simpson," he said.

"They will all play individually. Everyone will face everyone."

He said the team will then train until the nationals in Winnipeg, later this summer.

He has been playing darts in town since 2005. He arrived in Inuvik from Newfoundland in 1999.

This will be the fourth territorial playdown that Morey has participated in.

Of the four competitions, Morey has earned a spot on the national team for the past three years. Morey said the meet moves from community to community.

"In 2005 we were here in Inuvik, 2006 was in Fort Simpson and 2007 was in Yellowknife," he said.

"We're back in Inuvik this year."

The event is scheduled to take place at the recreation complex, but Morey said the group is still looking for more sponsors.

"We'd like to have each board set up with the logo and name of a sponsor," said Morey.

"If any companies or businesses would like to get their name up there, they can contact me."

Morey said as president of the darts association, he is always looking to expand their services, such as hosting these events.

"We'd like to host more of these playdowns," he said.

Morey added that potential players can sign up and register for next year's qualifiers.

"If anyone wants to help us raise money, we'd be willing to send them to the national competition and to the territorials," said Morey.

To play in the community qualifier, you must be a member of the national Dart Federation of Canada.

"It's a small registration fee and you need to be a member to qualify," he said.

Morey said most of the Inuvik Dart Association members play in the Legion league.

He said dart leagues in town meet once a week at the Legion.

"The average league night is about three hours," he said.

There are four leagues in Inuvik: mens, womens, seniors and mixed.

Morey said playing at the national level of darts is a great experience.

"It's a great feeling, you get to meet so many people at the national competition," he said.

He said he stays involved in the game because of the social aspect as well as the competitiveness.

"I love it, I enjoy the game," he said.

"It's good to get out and play against the others out there."