The stunning victory of Beau Greaves over world No 1 Luke Littler at the PDC World Youth Championships last October should have catapulted her to stardom. However, many media outlets focused on her gender, with headlines such as 'Littler beaten by a woman' and 'Littler suffers shock defeat in Battle of the Sexes'.
This emphasis on her gender raises questions about whether it has a detrimental effect on Greaves' long-term prospects in the sport. According to Laura Turner, a Sky Sports pundit and pro player, 'We want the publicity, we want the role models, we want people to be visible, but be visible for the right reasons - and that's just the quality of play.' Turner reflected on the trailblazing exploits of players prior to Greaves, including Lisa Ashton, the first woman to win a tour card at Q-School, and Fallon Sherrock, the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship. Greaves has exploded onto the darts scene with three consecutive WDF World Darts Championships and a two-time Women's World Matchplay champion. Before Greaves, the narrative around women in darts was often centered on their gender, with headlines focusing on their participation in a male-dominated sport.
However, Turner believes that the narrative has started to change, with a focus on the quality of play rather than the player's gender. Greaves' victory over Littler was a defining moment for her, and she has since spoken about helping other women to follow her lead. She believes that exposure to bigger players and tournaments is crucial for women's development in the sport.
The 'Battle of the Sexes' phrase has been used in various sports, including tennis, but Turner argues that in darts, women are competing on a level-playing field, and that's what fans should focus on. Turner also praised female players who have managed to cope with the pressure of being in the spotlight, including dealing with dartitis, a psychological condition that can impact a player's performance. Greaves has spoken openly about her struggles with dartitis and has learned to manage it, thanks to her family support.
As the sport continues to grow, it's essential to focus on the quality of play and the achievements of players like Greaves, rather than their gender.