Ex-Coast darts player hits international stage

Abstract

EARLIER this year he was a spectator in the crowd admiring the likes of Dutch master Michael "Mighty Mike" van Gerwen and Australian superstar Simon "The Wizard" Whitlock. But come...

EARLIER this year he was a spectator in the crowd admiring the likes of Dutch master Michael "Mighty Mike" van Gerwen and Australian superstar Simon "The Wizard" Whitlock.

But come January next year Rhys Mathewson will actually be up on stage mixing it with the world's best at the Invitational Darts Challenge.

Mathewson, who grew up in Somerset and now resides in Melbourne, recently won a qualifying event on the mainland, beating the nation's top-ranked male player Eddie Sims in the final to earn a place at the international tournament.

He now has to steel himself for the party-like atmosphere at Etihad Stadium in a little over a month's time, where a crowd of more than 15,000 is expected to flock to watch darts royalty.

"It was amazing to sit there and watch people you idolise and now to be playing against them is a bit surreal," Mathewson, 26, said.

"I have never played in anything like this or in front of such a big crowd so I reckon I will feel very nervous.

"I have no doubt my hand will be shaking when I first get on stage and throw but it won't last.

"I will have to play my best but if I do I am very capable of sneaking a win in against one of the pros."

Ever since taking up the sport as a 12-year-old, Mathewson, a former Tasmanian state junior champion, said he had always dreamt of playing professionally and he hopes this is the next step in realising that vision.

"I would love to be able to play professionally, who doesn't want to get paid for doing something they love," he said.

"I must thank my sponsor that has helped me get where I am, that's Matthew Woodberry, of Woodies Dart Supplies in Devonport."

Mathewson said he would be practising a minimum of an hour a day in the lead-up to the two-day tournamenton January 9 and 10.

Credit: - DARTS By JORDAN ABELL

Illustration

Caption: ON TARGET: Rhys Mathewson, in 2006, is preparing to face the world's best at the Invitational Darts Challenge in Melbourne in January.