The Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) has joined forces with nutritional therapist Kelly Hopley to help players improve their performance through better eating habits, marking a shift from the sport's traditional image of pints and fry-ups.
Changing diets for changing times
Hopley, a darts fan who has worked with the PDPA for two years, often attends tournaments to offer advice. She notes that the old stereotype of a darts player is no longer accurate. "If you think about players like Jocky Wilson, they'd be in smoky pubs with a pint or two on the go, and they performed in the environment they were expected to perform in. But it's not the same now. The schedules are very busy. Also, if you think about the standard today, there's almost no room for an off-day," she says.
There are 128 players on the PDC tour, each with different relationships with food, so Hopley avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. "I didn't go in there and get everyone to follow a certain plan. That's not what it's about. It's about understanding the individual, their lifestyle, their work-life balance, their preferences with food, their relationship with food, their mental wellbeing - there are so many things to consider," she explains.
Practical nutrition on the road
Late-night finishes away from home often limit food options to fast, less nutritious choices. "You can write the best nutrition plan in the world but if it's not accessible, it won't work, it has to be something that people can follow," Hopley says. "Good nutrition isn't going to guarantee success but poor nutrition is going to make it much harder. Good nutrition is going to help performance. Optimise is the best word for it."
She works with players on energy management, refuelling during long days, recovery from travel, and sleep. "Most importantly, how can they have that consistency of performance and be able to replicate what they did the day before? Nutrition alone is not going to do that but neither is practice alone. It's about having all these things together," she adds. She notes that the PDPA is mindful of players' well-being, and the PDC ensures the right food is available in venues.
Boosting concentration and decision-making
Hopley emphasises that good dietary choices aid concentration and decision-making on the oche. "They're having to perform maths very quickly, under pressure and often late at night. I know some people will say it's not maths, it's patterns, but actually it's both. There are very few people who could do it as well as they do," she says. Hydration is key, with advice to drink two to three litres of water daily, plus electrolytes to help concentration.
She dispels myths about drinks like Diet Coke or Pepsi Max, noting that sweeteners can be "as disruptive to the metabolism as sugar itself" and may cause sugar spikes affecting concentration. Coffee in moderation can aid focus, but multiple cups can create anxiety and jitters. She advises against energy drinks: "Whenever you're getting that sudden boost of caffeine, there's then going to be a drop-off at the wrong time."
Slow-burning carbs and omega-3s
For food, Hopley encourages players to choose slow-burning carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, or cous cous over processed carbs like sandwiches or chips. She emphasises omega-3s, found in oily fish like mackerel or salmon, which are important for concentration. However, she tailors advice to individuals, as some may work better with regular eating, intermittent fasting, or a keto diet.
Positive reception and evolving habits
Hopley reports a good response from players. "No one ever said to me, 'Are you going to make us drink green smoothies?' Two years ago, when I first turned up, that might have been the concern. But I've had a very good response overall," she says. Regarding alcohol, she believes the sport's relationship with it is changing: "Think where darts has come from. Where did they learn to play darts years ago? They learnt to play in the pub or social club. The darts players coming through now do not learn to play darts in the pub, they learn to play in an academy. That association hardly exists now."
