SEVERAL stars from the world of darts have already entered the PDC Unicorn Women's World Championship qualifiers.
The inaugural PDC Women's World Championship sees £30,000 prize money on offer alongside the chance to claim the richest title in the ladies' game.
The first stage will see 20 knockout qualifiers staged in Rileys clubs during May, with the winners then joining 11 international qualifiers and PDC professional Anastasia Dobromyslova in the last 32.
The last 32 will play down to the final at the Barnsley Metrodome on June 12, before the final itself takes place on stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday July 25, screened live on Sky Sports ahead of the StanJames.com World Matchplay final.
WDF number one Deta Hedman, who used to play on the PDC circuit, is amongst the ladies who have already entered the qualifiers, along with her leading rivals Irina Armstrong and Tricia Wright, who are also ranked amongst the top five.
The field of qualifiers for the knockouts held in Rileys Darts Zones around the UK will also include some partners of current mens stars, including Claire Stainsby, whose partner Tony Eccles is ranked 34th in the world.
The partners of Claire Whatley, Carly Chapman and Sue Cusick - Simon Whatley, Matt Chapman and Steve Cusick - have also played on the PDC circuit previously.
Dobromyslova, a former Lakeside Women's Champion, is excited with the number of entrants so far, and encouraged another top female star, eight-time Lakeside winner Trina Gulliver, to throw her hat into the ring.
"The PDC Unicorn Women's World Championship is a great new tournament and it is building into an exciting event," said Dobromyslova.
"It's fantastic to see so much interest from female players, especially top ladies like Deta, Tricia and Irina.
"I'd love to see Trina Gulliver enter too because she's a fantastic player. We've played in a final before and I think it would be amazing if we both got through to play in this final in Blackpool."
Another former Lakeside champion, Holland's Francis Hoenselaar, is expected to enter the PDC Europe Qualifier, which will be held in Salzburg on May 15 and sees two women qualify for the last 32.
The PDC Unicorn Women's World Championship is open to any woman who will be aged 18 or over on July 25 2010.
Entry for women into the knockouts held in Rileys Darts Zones is free and available by clicking here. Any player who enters a knockout must be available to compete in the last 32 in Barnsley on June 12 and the final Blackpool on July 25, should they qualify.
Rileys clubs staging qualifying events will be:
May 15: Bournemouth*, Hull, Victoria, Worcester
May 23: Bootle, Cardiff, Norwich, Oxford, Wolverhampton
May 29: Aberdeen, Chorlton
May 30: Brighton, Burton, Chester, Coventry, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gillingham, Solihull
Visit www.rileys.co.uk/herecomethegirls to enter, or ask in-club. Entries close on April 30 2010.
Click here to download the event poster
* - Bournemouth qualifier moved from May 8 to May 15.
Click here for information about the PDC Unicorn Women's World Championship