Danny Noppert is revelling in his first taste of World Series action Down Under, as he prepares to begin his title challenge at the PalmerBet New South Wales Darts Masters on Friday.
Noppert will be among the eight PDC representatives in action at the WIN Entertainment Centre on August 11-12, as 16 players battle it out for £60,000 worth of prize money in Wollongong.
Due to the absence of Michael van Gerwen, Noppert is the sole Dutch representative involved in this year’s Oceanic double-header, providing confirmation of his status as one of the sport's premier players.
The 32-year-old was beaten by an inspired Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals of last weekend’s NZ Darts Masters, despite averaging 98 in his opening round win against Ben Robb, and he's hoping for a strong showing on his Australian bow.
“This is all new for me,” Noppert told the Darts Show podcast, ahead of his clash against big stage debutant Brenton Lloyd in Friday’s first round.
“I have never been here before but it’s a beautiful country and I’m really happy to have been given the opportunity by the PDC. I am here with the big guys now!
“I was speaking with my brother yesterday and you look around and you see [the likes of] Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Simon Whitlock. It is really special.”
Noppert has been an ever-present in the world’s top ten over the last 18 months, and his maiden televised triumph at last year’s UK Open elevated him into a position amongst the sport’s elite.
He reaffirmed his progress with a run to last year’s World Matchplay semi-finals, while also reaching the last eight at the European Championship and Players Championship Finals.
The Dutchman is yet to recapture that consistency in 2023, although he’s hoping a successful campaign in Wollongong can inspire a resurgence over the coming months.
“The level I have reached – I thought it was possible, but I could only dream of making it happen,” conceded Noppert, the current world number nine.
“Now I’m there, but I need to make bigger steps. I need to win more tournaments to make myself more confident on the stage.
“This year so far, I have not been at my best level, but I am trying to get there. I need to grow, I need to have more confidence and I have to defend £100,000 at the UK Open next year.
“That will be hard. There are a lot of good players, but I will always fight to stay in the top ten.
“I’m really working hard at my game. I practice a lot, and with a bit more confidence I can go higher and higher.”
The NSW Darts Masters will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in Australia, through DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and on PDCTV in all other global territories.
UK fans can watch live through PDCTV - subscription options include the PDCTV Summer Pass. Coverage on ITV4 in the UK will begin from 1900 BST on Friday and from 1700 BST on Saturday.
2023 PalmerBet NSW Darts Masters
August 11-12, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Draw Bracket
(1) Gerwyn Price v Harley Kemp
Damon Heta v Joe Comito
(4) Dimitri Van den Bergh v Dave Marland
Nathan Aspinall v Simon Whitlock
(2) Michael Smith v Mal Cuming
Peter Wright v Darren Penhall
(3) Rob Cross v John Hurring
Danny Noppert v Brenton Lloyd
Friday August 11 (1900 local time)
First Round
Danny Noppert v Brenton Lloyd
Dimitri van den Bergh v Dave Marland
Damon Heta v Joe Comito
Rob Cross v John Hurring
Gerwyn Price v Harley Kemp
Nathan Aspinall v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright v Darren Penhall
Michael Smith v Mal Cuming
Saturday August 12 (1900 local time)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Format
First Round - Best of 11 legs
Quarter-Finals - Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals - Best of 13 legs
Final - Best of 15 legs