Francis Hoenselaar has informed the Dutch Darts Association that she will quit her beloved sport of darts. Two years ago she was involved in a serious scooter accident and since then she is not been able to play darts anymore.
Francis Hoenselaar wanted to bring this news out personally;
“I want to let everybody know that my darts career is definitely over. Last Saturday, July 26th was exactly two years ago that I had an accident with my scooter. The damage to my wrist has been too big to even think of a comeback.
So I would like to thank everyone who was involved in my beautiful 30-year career of darts. Show Frenay, Harry Kuijt, Harry van Leeuwen, Ben Hol, Dick Bonnes, Ophoff, Ted Vermeulen, Gerard Vos (Rotex tires), Andre Hazes (Melvin productions) Martin Eijsink (Finder), and in particular Gerry Walters Benelux Business as a manager and sponsor. Thanks to everyone for all the support you gave me.
I would also like to thank my travel mates Kitty van Vliet, Roland Scholten, Co Stompé, Karin Krappen, Roelie Baker and Karin Ten Kate. Also thanks to Ron Berg mastercaller and for all the media activities, Andrea Schipper for the website, Hennie Nagtegaal and Chiel van Praag (LDA). And not forgetting all the friends from all over the world that I’ve toasted with. A big thanks to Trina Gulliver, Crissy Howat-Manley, Dietmar Ernst, Karin and Cees van Leeuwen and so on and so forth.
And, of course, a big thank you to my whole family for the intense sympathy and for all the beautiful things you have given me.”
In 2011 Hoenselaar quit the Dutch team, but still wanted to play. In April 2013, the former Lakeside champion received a medal at the town hall in Rotterdam. The dart star received a royal honour from Mayor Aboutaleb. The Dutch Darts Association and Rotterdam Darts Organisation were then elaborates on her farewell.
The Dutch Darts Association would like to thank Francis for her commitment to the Dutch team and for what she has done for the sport darts in the Netherlands. She still is 15 times Dutch champion, seven times Dutch Open champion, two-time world champion singles and two-time world champion couples. In 2009 she won the prestigious Lakeside title by beating her eternal rival Trina Gulliver.
Sue Williams Chairperson BDO said: “The BDO would like to thank Francis for her time and commitment to the sport of darts. Her record during her sporting career speaks for itself and we all wish her well for the future.”
This news post was first published in BDO website 30/07/2014
