Joe Haganey has won several championships in his 50-year dart-throwing career.

This time, Haganey was giving his knowledge to his 11-year-old son, Austin, at the inaugural state dart championships for underage dart throwers held Sunday in Tresckow.

Haganey, who now lives in Tremont but was born in Freeland, said he won his first championship at 14 — but broke the rules to do it.

“The adults said ‘He doesn’t belong here — he’s underage,’ ” Haganey said. “But I won. Kids my son’s age don’t have a place to shoot, because all the places where you can shoot serve alcohol. Now they do.”

The underage shooter competition was held as part of the 58th consecutive State Dart Tournament that began in Freeland, and moved to Butler Township, Tresckow, Lakeside, back to Freeland, Tremont, and back to Tresckow four years ago.

One of the purposes of the tournament is to find the next generation of dart throwers.

The effort to form the tournament started when Marc Walter, an English teacher at Fleetwood High School in Berks County, was successful in forming a dart club at the high school.

“The kids have been shooting darts at school once a week for the last three years,” Walter said. “Our club is equal parts boys and girls.”

Walter said he got his kids to Sunday’s event after he was contacted online.

“The tournament was posted online, and they (organizers of the adult tournament) contacted me and arranged for our people to visit,” Walter said.

Kenny Terwilliger, one of the organizers, said the goal is get young people interested in darts.

“We talked about it last year,” Terwilinger said. “We want to get the younger people interested in the sport.”

Valley Trophy donated the trophies, and the Tresckow Hosey donated pizza and soda for the young dart enthusiasts.

“The Hosey is proud to host the very first dart tournament for youngsters, as we are happy to host the adult tournament,” said Hosey President David Bodnar Sr.

The day became a family event, as parents and siblings turned out to watch the young people shoot darts.

The adult tournament is being held every Saturday in February at the Hosey, providing competition for men, women, seniors and now teens.

Haganey has won championships in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018 and in Tresckow in 2024.