A 15-year-old girl has qualified for a major junior darts competition.
Lexi-Jayne Rooksby from Rushden, Northamptonshire, will compete in the prestigious JDC World Youth Championship in Gibraltar this coming November. For this young talent, known affectionately as "The Knockout," this opportunity marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning darts career.
A Humble Beginning
Surprisingly, Rooksby only began playing darts two years ago. Initially, it was merely a gesture to help out her dad's pub team, which was short of players at the time. Despite this casual entrance into the game, Rooksby's talent became readily apparent.
Her rapid rise in the sport is nothing short of remarkable. Since picking up the sport, she has made her mark at the county level, facing off against seasoned professionals from Northamptonshire. Among them are Kettering’s "Rapid" Ricky Evans and the father-son duo, James and Josh Richardson, who also hail from Rushden.
Natural Talent
One particularly astonishing aspect of Rooksby's journey is her minimal practice regime. The teenager admits she "doesn't practise much" and has never honed her skills at home. Yet, despite this, she has demonstrated a level of skill and composure that many seasoned players would envy.
Her father, Mick Rooksby, expressed immense pride in his daughter’s accomplishments. "When she first started playing, there was no inkling to what she was going to be like, so when she qualified, there were a few tears," he said. "To only do [minimum practice] and be as good as she is— you don't really hear those kinds of stories."
Surging Popularity
Lexi-Jayne's ascent in the sport coincides with a broader surge in darts' popularity, particularly among younger players. This rise has been fueled by standout performances such as that of Luke Littler, who, at just 16 years old, became the youngest player to reach the PDC World Darts Championship final in December 2023. Such milestones have inspired a new generation of players and shone a spotlight on the sport.
As Lexi-Jayne Rooksby prepares for the JDC World Youth Championship, she remains modest about her chances but optimistic about her future in darts. "I am pleased to qualify; I didn't think I was going to get as far as I did," she shared. "I hope I do well, but there's going to be good people there. I'll try my best."
The Road Ahead
With her natural talent, determination, and support from her family and local community, Rooksby is well-positioned to continue her upward trajectory in the world of darts. Her story serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere, proving that with even minimal beginnings, remarkable achievements are possible.
The JDC World Youth Championship will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in her career, one that could open doors to greater opportunities and maybe even set her on a path toward becoming one of the sport’s stars.
As the date of the competition approaches, all eyes will be on "The Knockout" from Rushden, hopeful that her rare talent and extraordinary journey will lead her to success on the grand stage in Gibraltar.