Bill Hammond Jr. never envisioned his entire family engaging in competitive dart playing, much less having a teenager clinch the world cup. In the ’90s, he was introduced to the sport by a friend, initially thinking it was a joke. To his surprise, he displayed talent. Later, he met his now-wife, Sandy Hope, and they delved into competitive darts, taking both their relationship and passion for the sport seriously.
Reflecting on the past, Bill acknowledges the lack of opportunities for dart players in earlier times compared to the current landscape, which he describes as incredibly promising for aspiring players looking to forge a career in darts. His 17-year-old son, Peyton Hammond, recently emerged victorious at the World Darts Federation World Cup Youth Singles 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. Peyton aspires to relocate to England due to the more frequent and lucrative darts tournaments held there.
While striving to promote darts across Canada, Peyton and his family are actively involved in nurturing the sport’s growth. Contrary to the misconception of darts being solely a pub game, national champion Jayda Hammond, aged 16, emphasizes its role in bringing families together. The Hammond-Hope family, dispersed across the country, bond over their shared love for darts, with family members residing in Langford, B.C., and St. John’s, N.L.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family engaged in virtual darts sessions, leading to Peyton’s skill development. Introduced to the sport at a tender age, Peyton honed his skills through consistent practice, dedicating hours daily to perfecting his craft. Bill emphasizes the benefits of darts in enhancing hand-eye coordination, mental acuity, physical strength, and mathematical skills.
Despite the competitive nature of darts, Jayda emphasizes the importance of fun and camaraderie within the darting community. The family acknowledges the challenges of attracting new enthusiasts to the sport, citing the necessity for parental involvement as a common entry point. They highlight social media platforms like Facebook as crucial for disseminating information about dart leagues and tournaments, encouraging interested individuals to connect with local groups for further details.