In a candid interview, darts legend Trina Gulliver MBE, often referred to as “The Golden Girl,” reflected on her pioneering career and the remarkable progress of women’s darts, crediting Fallon Sherrock for pushing the sport to new heights.
Gulliver, a ten-time world champion, has been one of the most recognizable faces in women’s darts since her rise in the early 2000s, and now, she feels a sense of pride seeing the new generation carry the torch.
### A Legacy of Success
Trina Gulliver’s career set the standard for women’s darts. She dominated the Women’s World Championship, winning it a record-breaking ten times between 2001 and 2016. Her victories cemented her place as the most successful female player in history, earning her numerous accolades and helping to raise the profile of women’s darts.
Gulliver’s ability to perform consistently at the highest level, combined with her sportsmanship, inspired many young women to pursue the sport at a competitive level.
Despite the challenges and lack of visibility women’s darts faced compared to the men’s game, Gulliver consistently advocated for equal recognition, better prize money, and opportunities for female players. Her determination to elevate the status of women’s darts played a crucial role in the sport’s eventual progression.
### Fallon Sherrock’s Impact: “Taking Women’s Darts to Another Level”
However, Gulliver acknowledges that the game has evolved significantly since her prime, especially with the emergence of Fallon Sherrock.
In 2019, Sherrock made international headlines when she became the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljović in what is often called a historic breakthrough for women in the sport.
Gulliver, while speaking about Sherrock’s unprecedented success, expressed admiration for how she has taken women’s darts “to another level.” Sherrock’s achievement not only brought massive media attention to women’s darts but also increased interest in the game globally. Her success has opened doors for female players to compete on equal terms with men in high-profile tournaments.
“It’s nice to have been a trailblazer, but now there are others who have taken over,” Gulliver said, reflecting on her own legacy. She elaborated on how Sherrock’s victory at the PDC World Championship was a monumental moment not just for her career but for women’s darts as a whole.
Gulliver believes that Sherrock’s win shattered many preconceptions about women’s abilities in darts, inspiring a new wave of talent and attracting a larger audience.
### The Growing Opportunities for Women in Darts
Sherrock’s impact goes beyond her victories in individual matches. Her rise has coincided with increased opportunities for female darts players.
More tournaments now feature women’s events or allow female players to compete against men, and prize money for these events has improved, although there is still room for progress.
Gulliver is proud to see the strides that have been made since her time as a player. “Fallon’s achievement has highlighted the need for greater support and recognition for female players,” she said. Gulliver noted that sponsors, media, and fans have started to take women’s darts more seriously, which is essential for the continued growth of the sport.
Sherrock’s achievements have also sparked interest in younger players who now have role models like her to look up to. Gulliver believes that the visibility of women succeeding at the top level is crucial for the next generation.
“I’m delighted to see the number of young girls now picking up darts,” she added, noting that the path to success for female players is clearer now than it was when she started.
### The Continued Fight for Equality
Despite the progress, Gulliver acknowledges that there is still work to be done to achieve true equality in darts. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s more to be done,” she explained.
Gulliver has always been vocal about the need for equal prize money and the inclusion of women in more high-profile events. Sherrock’s success has pushed these conversations forward, but the gap remains.
Gulliver also credited Sherrock for her grace under pressure. As one of the faces of women’s darts, Sherrock has faced immense scrutiny, particularly from those who still view the sport as male-dominated. Gulliver applauds how Sherrock handles these challenges with composure, setting an example for other players to follow.
### A Bright Future for Women’s Darts
Looking ahead, Gulliver is optimistic about the future of women’s darts. She believes that players like Sherrock, along with rising stars such as Beau Greaves, are helping to further establish women’s darts as an exciting and competitive sport.
Gulliver pointed out that more girls and women are being inspired to take up the sport, which will lead to a deeper talent pool and stronger competition.
In conclusion, Trina Gulliver is proud of her role as a trailblazer in women’s darts, but she’s even more thrilled to see others like Fallon Sherrock continue the journey.
“It’s a privilege to have been part of the journey, but it’s exciting to see where others can take it,” she said. Gulliver’s words are a testament to her sportsmanship and her unwavering commitment to the growth of the sport, as she watches Sherrock and the next generation of women continue to break barriers and make history in darts.
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