Nathan Aspinall admits it will be a dream come true to make his World Series of Darts debut Down Under later this summer.
Aspinall is among the eight PDC representatives set to headline August’s Australasia double-header, which will see events take place in Hamilton and Wollongong respectively.
The PDC’s annual trip Down Under begins with the New Zealand Darts Masters at Hamilton's GLOBOX Arena on August 4-5, before the PalmerBet New South Wales Darts Masters is held on August 11-12.
Wales’ World Cup winning duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton will return to defend their respective titles, with World Champion Michael Smith and world number two Peter Wright also set to feature.
Former Brisbane Darts Masters winner Rob Cross, Belgian number one Dimitri Van den Bergh and 2022 UK Open winner Danny Noppert make up the eight PDC representatives, and Aspinall is relishing his long-awaited debut.
“When I was in the Premier League in 2020 I was due to play in New Zealand and Australia, but then unfortunately Covid happened,” Aspinall told NZ’s Country Radio Breakfast Show.
“I was absolutely gutted, but I’m really looking forward to coming over this year. It’s going to be an amazing experience.
“When I was a young kid, I could only dream of what I am doing at the moment.
“It’s always great to go to new places. I’ve been to New York this year, I’ve been all over Europe and now I’m coming to New Zealand and Australia!
“I never thought I would go to New Zealand, let alone be playing a massive darting tournament out there. It’s what dreams are made of.”
Aspinall’s invitation is a reward for his resurgence over the last 12 months, which saw him make a brace of televised finals at the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts respectively.
The 31-year-old was subsequently included in the 2023 Premier League – where he narrowly missed out on a Play-Off place on the final night of league action.
“Getting back into the Premier League was a massive lift for me,” revealed Aspinall, who celebrated a nightly win in Rotterdam back in April.
“The buzz that you get from playing on the biggest stages – you can’t describe it unless you’ve done it.
“When you walk on to that stage and there’s 10,000 people chanting your name - it is unreal, and long may it continue!
“I had a great Premier League. It was very tough, and it’s the first time I have done it with all the travelling across Europe week in week out.
“It was an opportunity that I relished, and I took it all the way down to the final game to try and qualify for Finals Night.
“Unfortunately Gerwyn [Price] did a number on me again. He’s cost me a few quid this year!”
Former US Darts Masters champion Aspinall returned to World Series action earlier this month, making his Madison Square Garden bow on the PDC’s second visit to New York.
The Stockport star will also feature in next month’s inaugural Poland Darts Masters, as the World Series of Darts heads to Warsaw on July 7-8.
“As long as I’m still performing well, I will hopefully keep getting these opportunities and I will keep playing in front of these amazing crowds,” added the former UK Open champion.
“I got to a European Tour final earlier in the year. I’ve made multiple quarter-finals and semi-finals, so I’m happy with where my game is at.
“July is the start of the big TV tournaments, so I hope that my form continues and I can pick up a big title this year.
“I’ve not won a televised title for a couple of years now, but at least I’ve got a couple on my CV already, and who knows – New Zealand or Australia could be TV title number three!”
2023 World Series of Darts
NZ Darts Masters
August 4-5, GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton
PDC Representatives
Michael Smith
Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross
Jonny Clayton
Danny Noppert
Nathan Aspinall
Dimitri Van den Bergh
Oceanic Representatives
Damon Heta
Simon Whitlock
Ben Robb - DPNZ Number One
Haupai Puha - DPNZ Number Two
DPNZ Q1 - July 1, Christchurch
DPNZ Q2 - July 2, Christchurch
Top-Ranked player on DPNZ Order of Merit on July 2 following DPNZ Qualifiers
DPA Qualifier - Top-Ranked player following Event 21 (July 9)
PalmerBet NSW Darts Masters
August 11-12, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
PDC Representatives
Michael Smith
Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross
Jonny Clayton
Danny Noppert
Nathan Aspinall
Dimitri Van den Bergh
Oceanic Representatives
Damon Heta
Simon Whitlock
DPA Q1 - Mal Cuming
DPA Q2 - Darren Penhall
DPA Q3 - Dave Marland
DPA Q4 - July 7, Warilla
DPNZ Qualifier - July 1, Christchurch
Top-ranked player from DPA Order of Merit following Event 21 (July 9)