Darts doesn’t ask for your gender, it demands accuracy, nerve and unshakable focus. And women aren’t just meeting that demand, they’re raising the bar. While the sport evolves, they’re not just participants, they’re pioneers, rewriting history with every checkout. Enter Eleanor Cairns, a 20-year-old phenom from St. Helens who’s been throwing since she was 10. She’s proof that talent doesn’t wear a label, just determination, precision and the sheer refusal to back down. The era of women dominating darts isn’t on the horizon, it’s already here. Watch. Learn. Respect.

When did you first pick up a dart and realize ‘Oh damn, I’m actually good at this’?

My brother started playing darts just for a laugh with his mates and I decided to go one week and I loved it and the rest is history but as I have got older the women in darts definitely do inspire me.

What’s the magic for you, is it the thrill of the perfect throw or that sweet sound of tungsten hitting treble 20?

What I love most about darts is the social aspect, the lifelong friends and extended family I’ve gained through the sport.

what’s the darting moment that made you do a full mic drop celebration in your head?

Winning the World Title in 2022 will forever stay with me, especially having lost my mother just months before. That victory meant everything.

Give credit where it’s due, who dragged you into competitive darts, only to regret it when you started outshining them?

My brother is the one who made this possible, I have to thank him for everything.

Aside from breaking through the ‘No Girls Allowed’ clubhouse door, what’s been the hardest part of going pro?

The toughest part for me was constantly feeling like I was at the bottom and losing every match. But each game taught me something valuable.

Have you faced any unique challenges as a woman in darts?

The challenges began when I first faced men as a young player and truthfully, that dynamic still exists in my matches against men today.

do you often still encounter comments or attitudes suggesting darts is a ‘men’s game’? How do you respond?

Certainly. Whether in pub leagues starting out or professional tournaments now, the challenges persist. The response is simple, compete and demonstrate women’s excellence in darts.

From pub boards to pro stages, have you seen opportunities for women actually grow or just get prettier packaging on the same old excuses?

I believe opportunities are definitely improving, especially with the Women’s Series, but there’s still a long way to go.

if women’s darts got the media coverage it deserved, would we be trending… or would the internet break from men realizing we don’t actually throw with glittery darts? Do you think women’s darts gets enough media coverage?

No, not at all. There remains a significant need for greater media coverage of women’s darts.

Do women in darts need to hit two 180s back-to-back just to get the same respect as men? are women held to higher standards to prove themselves in darts?

I would say women can prove for definitely that they are amazing at darts and anyone can win anything. Just look at Beau Greaves, she’s absolutely phenomenal and a testament to the skill in women’s darts.

Let’s say you’re handed a magic dart to fix sexism in the sport, do you aim for equal pay, fewer backhanded compliments or just delete the whole system?

We’ve proven our worth, now the prize money needs to catch up dramatically., more opportunities maybe, more tv coverage and playing with the men. Really would love to see mixed pairs with the professionals on TV.

If you were coaching the next generation of female players, what’s the non-negotiable mindset you’d drill into them?

Give it your best. Keep pushing forward, but most importantly, enjoy yourself. Because if you’re not having fun, you’ll lose the love for the game.

Ready for more of Eleanor’s bullseye banter and mic-drop moments? Catch her on socials, where the checkouts are cold, the clapbacks are colder and doubters get muted quicker than a bounce-out!

Facebook: facebook.com/eleanor.cairns – Where tungsten meets wisdom
Instagram: instagram.com/eleanorcairns6 – Grouping tight, opinions tighter

Eleanor, we’re honored to have had you share your fire with us. Your presence in darts is powerful, your perspective is essential and your passion is contagious. You’re not just part of the sport, you’re shaping its future. Thank you for reminding the world that women belong in every arena, especially this one.