Roach Secures Purfleet Berth

Roach Secures Purfleet Berth

BRIAN ROACH is the first nominated player from Australia to be invited to participate in the 2006 PDC World Championship.

Brian was awarded this invitation by the PDC's Tim Darby for competing in the AGP and finishing in top of the ladder.

Brian ended the season on 80 Points, 25 points ahead of Barry Jouannet. Barry has been fortunate to play in the PDC Championship on two occasions and commented that it is an experience you will remember for a very long time. Participating in the Worlds biggest Darts event is every players dream and good luck to Roachy on this achievement .

Although Barry finished in second spot on the AGP ladder and missed out going back to the PDC Championships via the AGP, he is determined to do well at the 2005 Oceanic Masters where a second Invitation is up for grabs.

Barry, the Current Oceanic Masters Champion stated that this year is going to be much much harder. With the inclusion of New Zealanders Herbie Nathan, Warren Parry, Richard Te Whero and Preston Ridd to name a few Barry said he has his work cut out for him.

The 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship will be the biggest in the history of the event - boasting a record prize fund of £500,000.

In an exciting development for the sport of darts, 64 of the best players from around the world will converge on the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex, for the 13th staging of the PDC World Championship. Phil Taylor, 12-time World Champion and current holder of the title, is the 4/5 favourite for the event with the sponsor, Ladbrokes.com.

The total prize fund for the tournament has been increased to £500,000 over 1.1 Million Australian $$- with £100,000 to the winner, a growth of 66 percent on 2005.

The size of the tournament will also expand from 48 to 64 players, with eight additional places being awarded to both qualifiers from the Professional Darts Players' Association and international representatives.

Report by Kevin Berlyn