Cam Crabtree got his first taste of the big stage at a Grand Slam of Darts and is ready to do it all again at Alexandra Palace.
Crabtree has come of age, topping the PDC Development Tour after winning five titles, picking up a Tour Card through K School and then qualifying for the Grand Slam where he failed to progress from his group but put in a strong performance, knocking off world number five Jonny Clayton.
He now has his sights set on the World Darts Championship as another stepping stone to continue what has been a tumultuous start to his career.
While exciting, he makes sure to stay grounded and enjoy the big moments for what they are instead of chasing bigger goals.
“Obviously it’s exciting. At the start of the year that was my goal and everyone who starts playing darts dreams of playing in Ali Pali, so it’s exciting,” Crabtree said.
“Growing up, everyone wants to play at Alexandra Palace and the prize money has gone up, there are more people watching than ever, so it’s kind of surreal. You have to pinch yourself a bit, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I haven’t really set any goals, I want to go up and above all to play well. If I play well, maybe I’ll have a few chances and do well.”
“But the first year, just to go out, play, and then I can build on that in the years to come.”
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From GCSEs to practicing darts
Crabtree found darts through the pandemic and his father, who played a strong level of darts.
With his GCSEs canceled and time to spare, Crabtree began practicing and discovered a talent his dad helped hone by entering him in tournaments and then encouraging him to go to K school.
It’s his father’s encouragement that Crabtree sees as the reason he’s where he is today.
I’m happy that it became my job and I still think it’s fun so I wake up most mornings and want to play darts. As long as that lasts, I’m very happy.
“When Covid happened I was in my final year of GCSEs and they were cancelled, so I was bored at home,” he added.
“I was like playing on the computer with my mates and then it got boring after a few weeks.
“My dad had a board at home. He’s been playing since he was in his teens and he played in an online league. I wanted to join and he said, ‘if you like to practice, you can play.’
“I practiced for a few hours every day. He didn’t really pay attention so one night he asked me if I practiced. I said I practiced two hours a day and I quite enjoyed it. Then I just wanted to get better so I kept playing.
“He’s a big influence. That’s the reason I played, because he played. Since then he’s been guiding me in the right direction with the Super League and the tournaments and the county.
“Then it was his idea when I first went to K school. I wasn’t good, but I got a lot of experience that year and it just went up from there.”
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‘Waking up wanting to play darts’
What is it that allows Crabtree to play with the freedom we’ve seen? The fact that he calls his passion his job.
“This is amazing and something I’m very proud of, but at the time I just thought it was fun and then I’d go and play darts with my mates and it was fun,” he said.
“I’m lucky it’s become my job and I still think it’s fun. Most mornings I wake up and want to play darts. As long as it lasts then I’m very happy.”
“I just enjoy it, it’s what we play all year, playing on these big stages, so you’ve got to enjoy it and make the most of it.”
“It’s just fun to have the crowd there and have it as an opportunity.”
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on the dedicated darts channel Ski Sports (Ski channel 407). Stream darts and more top sports with NOW.