Darts pro Petersen returns to Hazeldene Primary to promote the sport and make maths fun
From left, Devon Petersen, former Hazeldene Primary School principal Shereen Firth, current principal Colin Adams, and George Petersen.
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Dartboard Maths and International Darts School League (IDSL) founder, Devon Petersen, visited his alma mater, Hazeldene Primary School, last week, to hand over four sponsored dartboards and to welcome the school to the IDSL.
Petersen, a professional darts player originally from Portland and now living in the UK, said it’s an honour to be able to give back to the school and was pleasantly surprised to see teachers who taught him now running the school.
It was at Hazeldene, he said, where he first engaged in organised sports and spent much of his youth at the neighbouring Portland indoor centre, playing all sports — from five-a-side soccer to basketball, badminton, handball, and table tennis. “It was also where my dart career started. So I’ve come full circle,” he said.
UK-based professional darts player, Devon Petersen, addresses pupils during a visit to the school last week.
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“It was a proud moment to return to Hazeldene, to say thank you to the teachers who guided me, and to give back to the school that gave me so much,” Petersen said.
Dartboard Maths will be introduced at the school in the new term, said Petersen, who developed the programme after his own son struggled with maths at school.
“The aim is to strengthen mental arithmetic and to help children learn through movement and overcome maths anxiety,” he said.
UK-based professional darts player Devon Petersen brought along the Africa Darts Corporation (ADC) global championship trophy he won in 2024, when he visited his alma mater, Hazeldene Primary School, in Portland, last week. Petersen was at the school to share his Dartboard Maths programme and to introduce the school to the International Darts Schools League (IDSL).
Image: Supplied