Besides the youth tournament of the Dutch Open Darts 2025, he had previously already won a youth title at Lakeside! Defending champion Bradley van der Velden (18) thought the crowd in the main hall in Assen last year was absolutely fantastic, but when asked, he still values his world title in Frimley Green just a bit more. We spoke last week with the talented darts player from Leiderdorp.
Bradley! How are you doing?
“I’m doing well! Of course I’m playing a lot of darts, but during the week I’m also working hard. Since January 1st I have a new job. I work full-time in the warehouse at Keukensale in Leiderdorp. I prepare orders for the installers so they can fit the kitchens. I’m enjoying it so far! I’m not a professional darts player yet, so I’m just putting in 40 hours a week there.”
You tried to earn a Tour Card at the beginning of January. How did that go?
“It was a good experience. I played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and eventually qualified for the Final Stage. That’s very different: the bigger players also compete there. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully show what I’m capable of. You also need a bit of luck with the draw. I want to go back again next year and my ultimate goal is to reach the PDC and earn a Tour Card.”
How was your 2025 darts year overall, after your Dutch Open Darts victory?
“The year started very well with that title and it gave me a good feeling. After a weaker start in the youth rankings, I still managed to finish second at the end of the season. That’s why I was also allowed to compete at the WDF Europe Cup Youth in Assen. To be honest, it wasn’t my tournament. Since the new national ranking season started, I’ve been playing both youth and senior events and that’s going well! At the moment I’m ranked first in the under-18 youth ranking and tenth among the seniors.”
You’re heading back to Assen again soon! Will you try to defend your title?
“That would be great! I’ll just see what happens. I’ve also registered for the pairs event with Vincent van der Leek and for the open singles tournament. If I lose in the men’s event, I’ll fully focus on the youth tournament. If I can win the youth title again in my final year, that would be fantastic. But reaching finals day in the men’s event would also be great. I’m definitely going back to Assen with a good feeling!”
You’ve reached the men’s finals day before, right?
“Definitely — during the 2024 edition. I lost 4–2 to Christian Kist in the last 32. And the year after that I won the youth title, of course. Not even with amazing averages, and I escaped a bit at times. But I was there on the important doubles. And then the average doesn’t always matter.”
Which was more special: your Dutch Open title or your 2023 Lakeside win?
“The Dutch Open is of course very special. It also has a bigger crowd than Lakeside. You hear everyone in the hall singing when you’re on stage — it gives you goosebumps! But Lakeside is about a world title. I had to qualify separately for that and then still win matches at Lakeside itself. I think it’s easier to win the Dutch Open than it is to reach and then win Lakeside.”
What are your plans for the rest of this year?
“This year I want to play the full PDC Challenge Tour. I’ve already played the first weekend in England — I do that together with Dustin Straver. I pay for that myself. It would also be great to play the Development Tour, but for that I’m still looking for sponsors. I’m also allowed to finish the youth season in the NDB Ranking and I’m playing senior events as well. From September I’ll be playing in the SuperLeague Hoofdklasse with the Goudenregenbar in The Hague, now that I’ve turned 18. Another really nice thing: soon I’ll be making my debut in the MODUS Super Series!
It’s a busy combination with all the darts and work, but luckily my parents Peter and Anita and my brother Justin are always there for me. I often travel to tournaments together with Justin, and my parents regularly come along to watch — and sometimes they even throw a few darts themselves!”
Picture: Jos Groen
