‘Playing darts helps me overcome my dyspraxia’

Growing up, Jackson could not enjoy the simple childhood pleasure of riding a bike after being diagnosed with dyspraxia, a developmental disorder affecting balance and co-ordination.

However, the 17-year-old says he has “amazed” doctors by becoming an accomplished darts player.

Jackson, from Skegby in Nottinghamshire, says his passion for the sport began when his grandad gifted him a magnetic dartboard when he was three – and he has since gone on to win a world championship.

He says practising and competing is helping him to overcome his ongoing condition.

His mother Jayne told the BBC: “He was into darts ever since he’s been able to pick up one and throw it.

“When we told the doctor he played darts, she was amazed and I think if she saw him now, she’d be even more amazed with how well he’s done despite his dyspraxia.”

Jackson said the condition still affected his “chalking” [adding up his score] but not his actual throwing – with his mother crediting the power of “muscle memory”.

“I think people are surprised when they hear I’ve got that condition but nowadays it’s just kind of easy for me,” Jackson said.

In 2024, he won the International Disabled Darts Federation (IDDF) Youth World Championships and reached the semi-finals of the England Academy Masters.

He has competed in tournaments in Scotland, Gibraltar and Germany, and has set his sights on qualifying for the Professional Darts Corporation to compete against the sport’s elite.

Jackson says the key to his sucess are good form, the right set of darts and plenty of practice.

“Since Luke Littler’s come on to the scene, a lot of people want to use his darts and his tips, which are 41mm tips,” he said.

“Many people cant throw those, you need to find what works for you.”

His success led his parents to setting up King Darts Academy in Mansfield Woodhouse for children and young people, where they said Jackson’s story had been an inspiration to other children.

And Jackson has no issue with putting in the hours to reach the next level, spending up to seven hours a day honing his skills – and even more in the run-up to a tournament.

“I absolutely love darts so I just practice, practice practice,” he said.