Winter is swirling into Doncaster, tearing up the railroad tracks and blowing down through Balby Bridge Social Club, which is five minutes from where adolescent darts sensation Beau Greaves and her five siblings grew up. The interior is cozy, with a Christmas tree in the corner and England flags draped from the ceiling, while Greaves goes through a difficult photoshoot upstairs without complaint. In her shining white sneakers, she towers over the photographer at 6 feet tall.
Greaves, age 18, has had a spectacular year. She has won an incredible 66 consecutive matches and eight successive tournaments in the PDC Women’s Series to qualify for the PDC World Championship, which begins at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.
On Friday at 8:00 p.m., she will face William O’Connor in the first round. At the age of 18, she is the youngest woman to compete in the event, which consists of 96 men and three women.
O’Connor, ranked 37th in the globe, will be the slight favorite versus the female tennis player known as Beau ‘n’ Arrow.
The darts commentator Rod Studd states, “She is already a celebrity.” “Her sexual orientation is unimportant. Even if she were Brian Greaves, she would still be great, such is her level of performance. She has won 66 darts matches in a row, which is an incredible feat comparable to Phil Taylor’s finest performance.
“Numbers play an important role in darts. In Test cricket, if your batting average is over 50, you are considered a good player, yet in darts, a three-dart average of over 100 is the benchmark. When she defeated Fallon Sherrock to earn a spot at Alexandra Palace, her average was nearly 108.”
The victory versus Sherrock, who made news in December 2019 when she became the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship, capped off a remarkable run.
Greaves, who played on the rival WDF circuit for the first 12 of the 20 qualifying tournaments, then calmly won the remaining eight. “It is absurd,” she concedes.
Greaves began playing at the age of 10 on the dartboard in her older brother Taylor’s bedroom as he played Xbox. She had a naturally good movement and a straight throw, and by the time she was 11, she joined Taylor and her father for Monday league darts at the Plough pub.
By the age of 12, she was representing England in youth darts competitions throughout Europe. She was drafted into the senior competition in 2021, stating, “I felt quite fortunate to achieve it at such an early age.”
She suffered from dartitis, a terrible ailment similar to the yips, for one entire year.
“It’s a mental issue,” she explains. “For me, the challenge was approaching the board; I was unable to place my son on the oche. I was playing despite not wishing to be there. I would attempt to throw and believe that it would either miss the board or fall nowhere near where I intended. It’s a fear of missing out, and it’s very strange.”
Becky, a friend of her mother’s, assisted her, and the two chatted weekly. “She was great for me. It assisted in becoming accustomed to discussing it. Some people cannot discuss it because they fear contracting it again.
If I believe it will assist someone, I’ll discuss it all day. Not talking about it only keeps it inside. It’s in your head that I’m not perfect, but I don’t think about it half the time.”
Greaves kept her hand in by playing online darts during the lockdown, quit school, and had a successful stint on the women’s tour before enrolling at Doncaster College, which supported her for a year. She obtained her GCSEs in arithmetic and English and completed a one-year painting and decorating course before throwing in the towel with darts.
“I desired to return for a second year, but traveling prevented that. I can always return if something goes wrong, but I guess I’ll put the paintbrush away for the time being.
She purchased a car with the $25,000 she won at the WDF World Championship in April, “a Mini Cooper Clubman, a good little runner,” and a new puppy, “a nightmare, she wants to play constantly.”
The majority of her time, however, is spent traveling and playing with her older sister Bobbi, who is also responsible for her hand tattoos.
“During the lockdown, we received a stick and poke set. I did all of hers and did them well, whereas she did all of mine and did them poorly. I stated, “Bob, you mutilated my hands.” I attempt to conceal them whenever I can.”
However, Bobbi was pardoned, and the two are now close. “I frequently travel with my sister, and we do our own thing to the point that I sometimes forget I’m playing darts. This has been my best year to date, I’ve traveled much, and I feel grateful and fortunate to have this life at age 18. I will stop playing as soon as I no longer find it enjoyable. “It’s only a sport, right?”
Is she able to ignore the pressure that is currently swirling? “I’ve completed this year. It is difficult when people are talking, and naturally, there is always a buildup surrounding things, but things are different when you are playing. Nobody will sever your limbs if you are defeated.”
She may be soft-spoken, but Greaves comes off as a young woman with an exceptionally insightful head. “Darts give you so much confidence. It taught me everything I’ve ever needed to know, including how to deal with things, how to interact with others, and how to be confident in myself.
I am appreciative of that. By the time I was 14 or 15, I was so mature for my age; this was due to my upbringing and the fact that I have a wonderful family.”
Her parents, along with Taylor and Bobbi, will be present at Ally Pally to cheer her on.
“You are in a disadvantageous position,” she continues; “you are not anticipated to win.” It’s a strange sensation because you’re playing a man. I’m not the first woman to play there, but I’ll just try to enjoy myself.” It feels like the next step in her inexorable ascent.
