Story Closed: 01/07/2012
(Phil Taylor launches the search for a protégé!)
(Posted: 23 May 2012)
Phil Taylor has launched a nationwide search for the next power in darts and believes there is another superstar waiting to be found in the 'Team Taylor' initiative, which will take place in Rileys clubs across the UK this year.
With darts' popularity at an all-time high, the sport is attracting aspiring players of all ages to play the sport at the highest level and also enjoy the opportunity to earn millions of pounds doing so.
Phil Taylor, the 15-time World Champion, is beginning his own search for a star of the future with 'Team Taylor', which will give darts players of all ages the chance to win a place in PDC's Qualifying School in 2013.
The 'Team Taylor' initiative will see players compete in Rileys clubs around the UK, where each player undertakes a series of tasks in a bid to score as many points as possible to win a place in the Regional Finals, before 16 players are paid for by Phil Taylor himself to compete in the 2013 Q School for a place on the PDC's £5 million professional circuit.
Phil Taylor said: "This is a tremendous opportunity, not just for the 16 players who will go through to play at Q School, but for all players to take the opportunity to start playing darts.
"Anyone can enter 'Team Taylor' - whether you've never picked up a dart before or if you play every week in the local league, this is your chance to see if you've got what it takes to be a professional."
Entry to 'Team Taylor' costs just £10 and is available now on the Rileys Team Taylor page, plus a special website has also been launched at http://www.protege-teamtaylor.com/ where aspiring players can follow their progress and watch exclusive video clips including tips from Phil Taylor.
Taylor is setting a number of practice tasks for players and throughout this year, every player will then be assessed in their local Rileys club on how well they have learned the skills.
Over a hundred talented players will make it to Regional Finals taking place at Rileys later this year, and the top 16 will be paid into Q School by 'The Power' himself.
Players who make it through will be mentored by Phil in their first year as a professional in 2013 and become part of 'Team Taylor' - any dart player's dream.
For more information, visit our Team Taylor page.
