UDUK are delighted to announce the details of Project 57, our new strategy for growing diversity and inclusion.

The appointment of a devoted Welfare and Inclusion Officer was one of the central changes to our committee structure for 2024/25, but we also know that actions mean far more than words.

That is why we are committed to expanding participation within UDUK structures.

Project 57 (so named for the percentage of university students who are women) aims to narrow the gap between these figures and the current reality within our organisation.

Currently, only around 10% of our players are women. And whilst this is a growing number, we know there is much more to do to drive that figure upwards.

The first focus of Project 57 will be to establish a network of female players, both as a means of sharing experiences and encouraging collaboration.

This will particularly help in ensuring that women who may be in heavily male-dominated teams do not feel isolated or uncomfortable.

Project 57 is also committed to reviewing current policies and rules to ensure that UDUK becomes a more welcoming organisation for female players.

Any instance of discrimination or abuse against women is one too many, and we take extremely seriously our commitment to ensuring UDUK is a safe space for all players.

This review process aims to engage all teams and players in addressing existing problems and improving safeguarding, bolstering further our current disciplinary process.

Project 57 will also explore the creation of new women’s teams. Whilst we accept that this is not the only way to improve participation for our female players, it is also clear that they play a key role in widening inclusion.

The staging of women’s events alongside open tournaments has proved a popular and effective way to highlight female players and we believe women’s teams have and can have the same effect.

Project 57’s primary focus is on expanding participation and opportunities for women, though this is not to the wider exclusion of other underrepresented groups.

UDUK will continue to monitor where new inclusion strategies can be introduced, but also accepts that female participation is an area of both particular problems and opportunities.

On the announcement of the new strategy, Welfare and Inclusion Officer Isobel Lee commented: “I am absolutely delighted to unveil Project 57, UDUK’s committed strategy to grow female participation.”

“As a player myself, I know the challenges that women can face in the game, and this strategy is about ensuring that we can remove the barriers of participation that can put female players off.”

“I can’t wait to get to work on implementing our plans and working with all our teams to achieve even better outcomes for our female players.”

For more insight on the current landscape of women’s university darts, take a look at this profile of some of our best players, past and present.

UDUK announce Project 57 strategy