A 15-Year-Old Rising Star Qualifies for Junior Darts Competition
A 15-year-old girl has qualified for a major junior darts competition, marking a significant milestone in her darting career. Lexi-Jayne Rooksby from Rushden, Northamptonshire, will compete in the prestigious JDC World Youth Championship in Gibraltar this coming November. Known affectionately as "The Knockout," this young talent is taking the darts world by storm.
A Humble Beginning
Surprisingly, Rooksby only began playing darts two years ago. Her initiation into the sport 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 darts, she has made her mark at the county level, facing off against seasoned professionals from Northamptonshire. Among those she has competed against 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, noting her natural talent and the emotional journey they've shared. "When she first started playing, there was no inkling of 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."
Emotional Moments and Future Hopes
Qualifying for such a prestigious event has been an emotional journey for both Lexi-Jayne and her family. "I am pleased to qualify; I didn't think I was going to get as far as I did," she shared. Her modesty and grounded nature are evident as she reflects on her achievement.
"I hope I do well, but there's going to be good people there. I'll try my best," Rooksby added. These words encapsulate her determined yet humble approach as she prepares for the JDC World Youth Championship.
As Rooksby sets her sights on Gibraltar, she carries with her the hopes and pride of her local community in Rushden. Her story is a testament to natural talent, dedication, and the incredible opportunities that can arise from the most humble beginnings.
The entire darts community will undoubtedly be watching closely as "The Knockout" takes to the global stage, and it seems certain that this is just the beginning of a very promising career in darts for Lexi-Jayne Rooksby.