Dartboard Maths a fun way to master problem-solving, says star player

fuad Esack|Published 1 month ago

Star dart player Devon Petersen, who grew up in Portland, visited schools in the city to promote Dartboard Maths. Picture: Taylor Lanning

It’s official, professional darts player, Devon Petersen, from Portland, is a maths geek.

Besides rubbing shoulders with local celebrities, connecting with like-minded individuals and making guest appearances on radio and television, the star player visited schools to promote his dartboard maths concept during a whirlwind tour in and around the Mother City.

Devon Petersen, aka the “African Warrior” is the only player from the continent to have won a major international PDC ranking title and was crowned German champion in 2020. Picture: JLF Visual

Petersen, known as the “African Warrior” on the European professional darts circuit, has been instrumental in helping to create opportunities for South African players to develop and compete at international level through a number of initiatives such as the Last Man Standing competition, the African Darts Group (ADG), the African Continental Tour, a women’s series, international schools darts league, the Devon Petersen Darts Academy to nurture young talent and his latest offering, Dartboard Maths.

Dartboard Maths is an ideal way to make maths learning and problem-solving fun and interactive, says professional darts player Devon Petersen during a schools visit to promote the game.

Petersen remains the only player from the continent to have won a major international PDC ranking title and was crowned German champion in 2020. But what he loves most is talking numbers, addition and subtraction to be more specific. Whether darts champions, or maths champs, the aim is to develop players and pupils with a knack for mental maths, Petersen said.

Devon Petersen in action during a schools visit to promote Dartsboard Maths. Picture: Taylor Lanning

“Dartboard Maths offers a unique and effective approach to learning, transforming traditional math lessons into engaging, interactive experiences,” he said.

“With its comprehensive toolkit, including lesson plans, activity packs, video tutorials, and assessment tools, it empowers educators to deliver dynamic and impactful lessons while making maths enjoyable and accessible for all learners,” said Petersen

“By integrating strategy, fun, and practical learning, Dartboard Maths enhances students' mathematical skills and fosters a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom,” he said.

Devon Petersen with Montevideo Primary School principal Craig Daniels. Petersen donated Dartboard Maths educational resources worth R13 000 to the school, which became the first to adopt the programme as part of its currriculum.

Petersen said the World Dart Federation and Professional Darts Players Association have both endorsed the product of Dartboard Maths to develop players globally.

“The key is that it's made in South Africa,by South Africans for the rest of the world. It's a world first and I am proud of it,” he said.

“We’ve already seen interest from 20 different countries and will potentially become the product that revolutionises the sport at a grassroot level,” he said.

Montevideo Primary School pupils get to grips with Dartboard Maths.

Montevideo Primary School deputy principal Fatiema Higgins and principal Craig Daniels, a well-known figure in basketball circles, say Dartboard Maths will definitely find a home in their classrooms.