Stephen Bunting has become the latest PDC star to support the Darts on Your Doorstep initiative, in association with Smart Energy GB, after opening a new darts facility at the Hopeville Social Club. The PDC in the Community scheme was launched together with Smart Energy GB in November 2024, with grassroots darts facilities receiving a […]
Stephen Bunting has become the latest PDC star to support the Darts on Your Doorstep initiative, in association with Smart Energy GB, after opening a new darts facility at the Hopeville Social Club.
The PDC in the Community scheme was launched together with Smart Energy GB in November 2024, with grassroots darts facilities receiving a makeover alongside an information session on energy management in the home.
Darts on Your Doorstep has been a great success throughout Great Britain, with Bunting following in the footsteps of Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey, Jonny Clayton and Damon Heta with a special appearance to open a new facility.
Bunting joined PDC chief executive Matt Porter and Smart Energy GB at the Hopeville Social Club in Inverurie for Wednesday’s launch – hosted by Sky Sports reporter Polly James – ahead of Thursday’s BetMGM Premier League action in Aberdeen.
He also took part in a Q&A with club members and challenged local players at the Aberdeenshire venue.
The former Masters champion previously featured in a campaign with Smart Energy GB last year to provide tips on staying in control when under pressure, alongside fellow darts pro Nathan Aspinall and sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry.
“It’s fantastic to represent the PDC and Darts on Your Doorstep,” said Bunting, who is featuring in his second consecutive Premier League campaign.
“Darts is a grassroots sport and it’s brilliant to see the investment that’s being made by the PDC and the support from Smart Energy GB.
“The growth of the scheme has been incredible. It’s creating opportunities for so many local players, and it’s a privilege to be part of an event like this.”
Since November 2024, over 50 clubs across the UK have enjoyed new darts facilities – including new Winmau Blade 6 dartboards – and over a thousand individuals have enjoyed sessions to learn more about managing household energy use and ways to help save money on bills.
These sessions communicate the benefits of smart meters and their role in helping households understand their energy use in the home.
Attendees at the Hopeville Social Club – which is part of the Inverurie & District Darts League – also enjoyed a Smart Energy GB information session during the launch.
A spokesperson from Smart Energy GB said: “Local darts clubs play an important role in communities across Great Britain. Projects like these, that provide improved facilities and equipment, are vital to make sure the clubs are able to thrive and harness community spirit.
“It’s also important to use these opportunities to try and help the people in these communities manage increasing costs. We hope the information sessions will give people real, actionable advice to help them manage their finances and understand how a smart meter could help them to save a little money on their energy bills.”
The Smart Energy GB Darts Challenge is also taking place as part of the Darts on Your Doorstep scheme, with the top-performing clubs throughout the year winning a money-can’t-buy dart-fitting experience from Winmau, the PDC’s official equipment supplier.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “Darts on Your Doorstep has been a big success since being launched in November 2024, and it’s fantastic to see clubs around the UK benefitting from the scheme.
“I’m delighted that we can continue working with Smart Energy GB to promote the benefits of smart meters across Britain, as well as transform the darts facilities of grassroots venues.
“Venues such as the Hopeville Social Club are such an instrumental part of the community, and darts plays a vital role for so many of the club’s members.”
Darts clubs and groups can register for PDC in the Community through this link.