Destination New Zealand
Thorn: How about a quick introduction?
Brian: Brian Stapley or "dartnut". Married, two girls, one boy and a grandson.
Thorn: Awesome. Where on Earth are you?
Brian: I live in Dunedin, New Zealand about a seventy minute drive south of the 45th parallel. I grew up here and I love this town. I have traveled around New Zealand playing darts and have visited family in Australia and the United Kingdom, and they are nice places but Dunedin is home and always will be.
Thorn: New Zealand has unreal beauty; I can see why you love it. It's so rugged, green and natural. So, what's your job?
Brian: I work in a factory making toilet paper--I think I've heard all the jokes. It's a good job and leaves me plenty of time to play tournaments at the weekends. They are also good at giving me time off to travel away.
Thorn: (grumbling and grinding teeth) Must.resist.temptation (short breaths). Whew! Ok, I'm cool now, sorry about that. Well, that's great-I'm sure we all appreciate your product! Are there good opportunities for promotion? Maybe you could work your way up to number two (stifled snicker). No, seriously, outside of work-what's wonderful about your life?
Brian: One of the best things is my wife is as keen on darts as I am, and it has now become something we do together. We have won a few mixed and married pairs together along with some trio's tourneys as well. It's great to be able to do something we both enjoy.
Thorn: Yes, lucky guy. Your wife sounds super-I'm a sucker for solid marriages, congrats. So, how long have you been typing to SEWA?
Brian: I joined SEWA in February of 2006; before that I was a member of "dartplayer.net", SEWA's predecessor. It is the best darts site on the net whether you are a "newby" to the sport or been playing for over 25 years like me. It is full of useful info and the members are always willing to offer advice or humor on any darting question. The site is a credit to all involved in running it.
Thorn: Totally agree, well said. Ok, some folks aren't as comfortable as me with this next part-but it's bragging time. What are your biggest darting accomplishments?
Brian: Some of my best achievements in darts have come in the last five years. I have won the men's pairs twice in three years at the NZ Masters Games with my mate. I also won the mixed pairs last year with my wife. I cannot remember my first 180 but will never forget my two 170 finishes achieved during tournaments.
Thorn: Sweet! I finished 170th in a tournament once. So, the sport is alive and well in New Zealand, everybody's crazy for it?
Brian: Darts in Dunedin has diminished in the number of people playing over the last fifteen years but is starting to make a bit of a comeback with a lot of younger people finding the sport. It took a hit when the no smoking in pubs and clubs law came in. We have two big clubs, two pub leagues and a chartered club league in town.
Thorn: (chuckling) "Took a hit", good pun. Things change-and even smokers know indoor smoking is a drag for others. But, it's great to see new numbers of youngsters coming back! Do you find ways to give back to your favorite sport?
Brian: I am currently coaching a young guy on our pub team who is in a wheelchair. Last year he was voted the most improved player in our league, and in a couple of weeks we are going to play in an open pairs tournament that will be his first open. We should do ok.
Thorn: I love it. Way cool. In my experience it doesn't matter who you are-we all get that same wide-eyed "I did it" expression when we hit what we aim at-especially those thrilling "first times". Do you have to travel far to play?
Brian: We travel up to five hours by car to play in tourneys and last year flew for three hours to play the New Zealand Open- I finished in the top 40 out of 248. I am happy to drive for 2-3 hours in the morning to play an afternoon tournament and then drive home after; I don't drink.
Thorn: Sounds good! Ok, just a couple more questions. First, many of us know New Zealand better through recent movies. What kind of impact, if any, did that new fame have on you, your town, your country, culture or economy?
Brian: Well, a couple hundred million dollars sure helped an economy with only 4.5 million people. It didn't directly affect our city, as far as I know, as the scenes shot in our area were a fair way inland. I suppose that all the extra people that came wouldn't have used leaves so they helped pay my mortgage.
Thorn: (laughing) In your opinion, what's the most interesting, unique or unknown thing about New Zealand or the people?
Brian: That's a tough one. The first thing that springs to mind is the Kiwi can-do attitude, "if something looks difficult we will figure out how to get it done." Another thing is our golf courses--I can have a round on any one of nine different courses all within twenty minutes of my front gate, and the most it will cost is 50 green fees New Zealand dollars.
Thorn: Darts, golf, wonderful family, amazing country, and free toilet paper. What a life! Well, thanks Brian. Dare I say, G'day mate?
Brian: No worries. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this.
THORN: Pleasure's mine. For us time to fly first class to our next destination-that's right, an exit window seat in coach. Ahhh, leg room. Over and double out.