NEWS ARCHIVE
Important Anti-Doping Information for All Players Competing in DRA Sanctioned Events
In February 2024 Jack Main was found to have fixed the outcome of his match with Lisa Ashton Ashton, played on 9th June 2023 in the Modus Super Series Event. He subsequently exercised his right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
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His appeal was considered in full by Erika Riedl an independent Arbitrator appointed by Sport Resolutions. The appeal was dismissed and the finding of the Disciplinary Committee stands. He was ordered to pay £800 towards the cost of his appeal. He remains suspended from attending or competing in DRA governed events until 31st December 2025 and to pay £762.41 in costs.
Important Anti-Doping Information for All Players Competing in DRA Sanctioned Events
The DRA oversees a random drug testing programme in line with its Anti – Doping Rules. This means that any Player competing in a DRA sanctioned event may be required to undertake a drug test. Please click on the link below to see the letter to Players that provides information and guidance on this important issue. Please note that it is the Players responsibly to ensure that any medication or supplement that he/she takes does not contain a prohibited substance.
Darts Regulation Authority Statement on Adam Smith-Neale
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The Disciplinary Committee of the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) convened for a hearing on 15th May 2024 to consider a case involving Adam Smith-Neale.
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The case relates to allegations of assault and threatening behaviour by Smith-Neale. On 9th March 2024, Smith-Neale was playing a Match in the Nuneaton Darts Open at the Lucky Break Sports and Pool Bar in Nuneaton. After Smith-Neale lost the match, his opponent offered his hand and Smith-Neale punched him in the face. The incident was captured on cctv and attracted considerable media attention. Smith-Neale was suspended by the DRA pending a hearing.
At the hearing Smith-Neale. accepted the charges against him and claimed that he had felt threatened by his opponent which was why he punched him. This was not fully accepted by the Committee.
The Committee later delivered its decision in writing, and the sanction imposed is that Smith-Neale is banned from playing or being involved in any capacity in any DRA sanctioned events for a period of 8 months. This ban is backdated to start from 12th March 2024, this being the date of his initial suspension by the DRA. This means that Smith-Neale is unable to play or participate in any events until 12th November 2024.
Darts Regulation Authority Statement on Jack Main
On 11th December 2023 the DRA Disciplinary Committee heard the case against Jack Main where he was charged with fixing the outcome of his match with Lisa Ashton Ashton, played on 9th June 2023 in the Modus Super Series Event. The Committee found that he was in breach of the DRA Betting Rules 2.1.2 and 2.1.3.
On 9th February 2024 the Committee has released its decision on sanction. Jack Main has been suspended from attending or competing in DRA governed events until 31st December 2025 and to pay £762.41 in costs.
He has the right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
MIKE TITMUS
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Mike passed away on
20th January 2024.
Mike's main career was in the Brewing Industry where he spent 38 years
finishing up as the Managing Director Carlsberg-Tetley South, where he was
based at the famous Romford Brewery.
Throughout this career Mike dealt with many hundreds of clubs and pubs
that had dartboards and became interested in the value of darts as a
sponsorship vehicle for the company's brands.
He had a true passion for Darts and in 2000, he became Chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation. He led the restructuring of the company at a key time in its history that led to the appointment of Barry Hearn as Chairman in August 2001.
He helped shape the future of Darts and in 2002 he was appointed as the first Chairman of the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) where started the work to protect the sport’s integrity. He later returned to the DRA as a Director where his knowledge of the sport and the people involved, past and present was invaluable to the DRA. He broadened the role of the organisation and developed the affiliation of other darts organisations from all over the world to the DRA. This has led to the DRA becoming a truly international sports regulatory body.
Mike stepped down as a Director in February 2021 and stayed on as Company secretary. He continued to regularly attend Darts events on behalf of the DRA and was well respected by all involved in Darts. He stayed in post until he stood down at the end of November 2023.
On a personal note, I have worked with Mike since I took over as Chairman of the DRA in February 2012 where I was fortunate to have him working alongside me. He was always positive and cheerful. He was good company and a sage advisor to me as he knew the sport inside and out. He had a true passion for Darts and was very happy to see its growth to become such a popular sport. I will miss him.
Nigel Mawer QPM
DRA Chairman
