Norfolk woman who's played darts for 60 years urges young people to give the sport a go

16 year-old Luke Littler became the youngest player to ever reach the World Darts Championship final last night

Author: Tom ClabonPublished 4th Jan 2024
Last updated 4th Jan 2024

A 72 year-old woman from Norfolk who's been playing darts since she was 9 is urging young people across the county to give the sport a go, inspired by sixteen year old Luke Littler.

Yesterday, Luke 'the Nuke' became the youngest player to ever reach the World Darts Championship final - facing world number one, Luke Humphries.

"I was playing darts as well, when I was 16 years-old"

Christine Grimwood (above)

Christine Grimwood helps organise Norwich's Monday Independent Darts League:

"I was playing darts as well, when I was 16 years-old, but with other things in mind. I was in a ladies team, but we only played 'Eights' and that was a bit boring.

"My brother was two years older than me and he and his friends took me to the pub up the street and played things like pool, in the back-room. But they wouldn't let me play until I knew how to chalk score. So I learnt how to do that and I've been playing ever since.

"I enjoy meeting people when I play the game. We have lots of fun and the teams are very fun. We always have a good night.

"We had the television on at Spixworth social club and had quick look now and again to see how he was doing. I just hope this all doesn't make him too big headed it's nice to see a young person do so well. But it might go to his head and spoil it all.

"We could do with some more young ones"

"After Covid we had a lot of problems with teams not turning up and pubs closing. It's nice to be back again, but we could do with some more young ones.

"If the boys who are playing friendlies in the pubs are watching all this- it could inspire on the younger setting. Same with the ladies as well, I saw two of them playing in the pub last night.

"The young boys and girls, if you can come along to the pubs where they're playing darts and introduce yourself to the captains, then hopefully they will introduce you to those who organise the fixtures. Then you can get involved!"

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