The youth scene in darts is looking really good right now. I was very impressed watching Ted Evetts win the PDC World Youth Championships in Minehead. What a brilliant final between him and Nathan Rafferty it was.
While I enjoyed a lot of success when I was young. Ted is 24-years old and unfortunately, by the time I reached his age, the current style of youth scene wasn’t available to me. Super Ted is a real talent and has done enormously well since becoming a full-time professional. He’s a lovely lad and I am happy to see him reaching his potential.
I’ve got to mention Luke Littler too. Another lad I’ve known for a good few years now and who is a special talent. Only 14-years old! Yet making all the headlines. To hit a 9-darter in a JDC tournament in Gibraltar recently was another amazing milestone for the youngster. If Luke continues on the right path, he has a massive future in the game. He has qualified for WDF Men’s World Championships at the Lakeside and that should be fascinating to watch.
We must mention Fallon Sherrock too. What she has been doing for our sport is nothing short of remarkable. When she made history at the Ally Pally it earned her some wonderful opportunities. Then, unfortunately, COVID-19 struck and prevented her from competing in the World Series and places like New York. I felt really sorry for her. Fallon’s bounce back from that disappointment has been almost as impressive.
In the recent Grand Slam, she was simply magnificent. Who will forget that stunning 170 checkout against Gabriel Clemens! Then she knocked Mensur Suljovic out and pushed an on-song Peter Wright all the way in a race to sixteen legs only to lose narrowly to one of the best players on the planet.
In my opinion – Fallon thoroughly deserves a place in next year’s Premier League. She can attract some huge sponsors for the PDC as well as the many fans I’ve met who are now interested in darts because of her. Perhaps the PDC can look at extending the field to twelve participants as a way of finding room to accommodate her. Right now, Fallon Sherrock is one of the faces of our sport.
But, I still think Lisa Ashton’s achievements on the oche are greater. She is a four-time World Champion and the only woman to have gained a PDC tour card. Lisa definitely deserves huge credit for what she has achieved in the game.
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