AUSTRALIA'S top darts players are on their way to Bendigo for the 37th Australian Darts Championships.
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The tournament will launch into action at the All Seasons Hotel on Friday morning.
Darts Australia president Kelvin James said the top eight players from each Australian state and territory would contest the championships.
He said a further 300 players were expected for the World ranked Pacific Masters event on Sunday, involving national, international and local players.
"There's been a qualification process for the championships that started in some states back in February," James said.
"They then pick the best eight players - best eight males and females.
"For those wanting to come up and watch the darts, they'll see some great individual and team events.
"The players here are world class."
A spot in the field for the World Professional Darts Championships in England will go to the winner of the Australian singles championship on August 5.
Among the contenders will be Bendigo's Justin Thompson.
The former Australian representative capped a remarkable return to the sport after a few years off by qualifying as Victoria's number one.
He enters the championships in brilliant form, after winning the Bendigo Open crown in May.
Tough opposition is expected from Peter Machin, a recent finalists at the British Darts Association World Trophy, top-ranked Australian Grand Prix player Raymond Smith, Victorian number two Steve Duke and New South Wales' Andrew Towns.
The women's draw includes all but one of the current Australian international team, among them the internationally renowned Corinne Hammond.
Ranked sixth in the world, Hammond finished top eight at the World Darts Trophy event in England.
This is the first time Bendigo has hosted the championships, now in their 37th year.
James believed Thompson was capable of a bold singles championship in front of his home crowd.
"The last time he made the Australian team he travelled to France with us, so he's a great prospect for us," he said.
"We are thrilled to have him back."
The championships, which include both singles and teams events, run until August 6.
Entry to the venue is free.