Darts veteran on target to make history at Championships

Craig Scarfe. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Werrington County’s Craig Scarfe will end a 21-year drought this weekend when he represents New South Wales at the 44th Australian Darts Championships in Brisbane.

The 55-year-old local father is currently the number one men’s dart player in the state, but this will be the first time he’ll play for NSW in more than two decades.

“It’s been 21 years since I’ve had the privilege of wearing the NSW uniform. I’ve always been proud to wear that uniform and I always give 100 per cent,” Scarfe told the Weekender.

“I’m looking forward to getting into camp on Thursday afternoon before the Opening Ceremony on Friday night. I have the honour of carrying the State flag alongside my Mixed Doubles partner Andrea Hendley. Together, we’ll lead the team out before the Pacific Masters event on Saturday.”

It’s been a long journey to the top for Scarfe, who began playing darts in 1984 with a friend from high school.

It wasn’t until the mid-90s however that Scarfe began taking the sport seriously, aiming to make his first-ever NSW team.

“From 1996 to 1998, I was a reserve player for the NSW side – I just couldn’t crack the actual team because the talent back then was incredible,” Scarfe said.

“In 1999 I was named a reserve again, however the team captain was forced to pull out due to health reasons and I got the call up to make my debut at the Australian Darts Championships in Tassie.”

Scarfe would go on to represent NSW numerous times before giving the sport a break in 2005 to focus on family and other interests. After a long layoff from serious competition, he returned in 2019 with the growing Penrith Premier Darts League.

Scarfe has taken his game to another level in the past couple of seasons, rising up the ranks to become the number one men’s darts player in the state last year, a huge achievement.

Craig Scarfe. Photo: Melinda Jane.

“That was a real surreal moment for me,” he admitted.

“I ended up backing it up again this year and held onto that number one spot.”

After more than two decades away, Scarfe said he was encouraged by many of his peers to try out for the NSW team again, but he admitted he had his reservations at first.

“I was 50-50 to say the least, but I’m glad I made the decision to return… I made the right choice,” he said.

“This year NSW has a really strong chance of coming away with the overall title. We have 16 players heading up – eight men and eight women. The depth we have this year is the strongest it’s been in years.”

Scarfe is set to play every day of the week-long tournament, but he is slightly concerned how his mind and body will hold up over the course of the high-pressure event.

“Mentally and physically, darts can be really taxing on you,” Scarfe revealed.

“In the lead up, I work on my game during League nights and sometimes practice on my board in the garage.

“As far as getting mentally prepped, I have a couple of games that I play on my tablet to just keep my mind focused.”

Whatever happens over the coming week, Scarfe is just grateful to be back where he belongs – representing his state and the people of Penrith.

“The support I’ve received from the darts community has been astronomical. The crew at Penrith Premier Darts is like an extended family,” he said.

“My motivation levels are very high right now. I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.

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