Gender? The treble twenty doesn’t care, but the world should. What matters is who hits it when it counts and women are proving they own the moment. Their rise isn’t just inspiring, it’s inevitable. Watch. Remember their names. This is their era. Meet Melly (Melanie) Drees, a 41-year-old German darting powerhouse who started her electronic darts journey in 2018. But it was the Sapphire Darts Trophy that ignited her passion for steel tip.

Take us back to the beginning, were you the kid who turned their bedroom door into a dartboard graveyard or did this obsession start later?

As a young girl, I had a dartboard in my bedroom and played with my father whenever he had time. Then I became a mother and after years away from the game, I decided to take time for myself again. So I went to a nearby pub and joined a darts club.

Alright, be honest, was there one throw where you suddenly thought ‘Damn, I might actually be good at this’?

There are so many moments I’m proud of. Whether it’s participating in the German Championships, winning tournaments themselves or playing doubles with Gary Anderson against Ian White and another participant, there’s no specific moment I’m proud of.

Does the joy come from chasing those glory moments or from keeping alive the ancient pub tradition of solving all problems via sharp objects?

When I play darts, I can switch off my thoughts, enjoy time with friends and simply forget about everyday life.

How did you make the jump from casual throws to real competition?

My partner used to drag me to tournaments, I’d join just so I wasn’t stuck awkwardly in the corner. But once I realized I wasn’t just there to lose, I started entering on my own and even hunting down doubles matches like a darts mercenary.

As a woman making the leap to pro darts, what’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

I think it’s a difficult step for many people to transition from amateur to professional, myself included. It means investing a lot of time and money, which not everyone has available. You also have to learn to deal with the pressure. After all, you want to be somebody and that means constantly delivering your best.

Would you say the path to success is tougher for women in darts today?

Yes, I do think it’s harder for us women. Many people laugh from their couches and don’t take us seriously. This makes our minds wander and breaks our concentration.

Have you encountered outdated attitudes about women in darts? How do you handle those moments?

So far, I haven’t received any rude comments. But if that ever happens, I’ll either ignore them and focus on myself or they might get a sharp reply, depending on the situation.

We’ve seen some positive changes recently, do you believe darts is moving fast enough toward equality?

Yes and no. Of course, we throw the same three darts as the men. But women face completely different pressure. We constantly feel we need to prove ourselves and that gets in our heads.

What can everyday fans do right now to support women’s darts beyond just watching?

“Phew, good question. Support women’s accounts on Instagram or Facebook, reach out personally and ask how you can help.

Darts is a ‘pub sport’, but pubs aren’t always welcoming to women. Have you experienced this?

No, I’ve never felt unwelcome so far. After league matches or tournaments, people would always ask things like, ‘Will you be back?’ or ‘Why didn’t you come sooner?’, that kind of thing. Really, I’ve only had good experiences.

If you could rewrite the rules for women’s darts, what’s the first change you’d make?

Respect belongs on the board. If more opponents approached the oche with genuine respect for us, everything would be easier.

What kind of support did you need most early on and how can the next generation find it?

Have fun, don’t worry about what others say and just enjoy the game!

Want more of Melly’s ruthless checkouts and unfiltered takes? Hit follow on her socials, where the darts fly straighter than the facts, the banter hits harder than a 180 and haters get muted quicker than a busted score!

Instagram: instagram.com/melly_redbulldog – Aim like a pro, shine like a star

Thank you, Melly, for sharing your story and passion in this interview. The more we celebrate women in darts, the stronger the sport becomes. You’re not just playing, you’re paving the way. Here’s to more eyes, more respect, and more history made.