The beautiful brutality of darts tolerates no compromise and women are storming its heights with breathtaking skill. Among them rises Alysa de Kok, who discovered the sport's magic during lockdown through a friend's challenge. Where many see a male-dominated arena, she saw pure possibility. From fumbling first throws in Veldhoven to commanding the oche in Valkenswaard. In her hands, tungsten becomes the great equalizer, her rapid progress shouting what women players know, this sport answers only to courage, not tradition.

Why did you start playing darts and what do you love most about it?

I started playing darts toward the end of the COVID pandemic after becoming friends with Jermaine Wattimena. He told me I should give it a try and even though I was terrible at first, I really enjoyed it. So I bought my own set of darts and just kept playing. What I love most is how it connects you with so many great people. Plus, there’s nothing better than seeing yourself improve and that’s been happening more and more!

What’s your daily practice routine? Do you have a strict schedule, or do you just throw until your brain goes ‘Nope, that’s enough bullseyes for today’?

I used to train every single day, but unfortunately, between two jobs, I don’t have time for that anymore. Now I play about 3-4 times a week. I usually call it quits when I start getting frustrated, though that point varies depending on how stubborn I’m feeling that day. And if I’m practicing alone? Let’s just say the board and I run out of interesting conversation pretty fast.

What inspired you to start competing in dart tournaments? And as a female player making the jump from amateur to pro, what would you say has been the toughest challenge?

At first I didn’t even have a board at home, so I always practiced at a pub. That’s how you meet people who say, ‘Just join in for fun, you’ll learn as you go!’ And you know what? They were absolutely right. Honestly, I think moving from amateur to pro is tough for anyone, maybe someday I’ll get to find out for myself! 😉

Which victory lives rent-free in your head? The underdog moment, or the time you made the board look obedient?

I don’t have that one ‘biggest’ win yet, but sometimes I beat players I think are way better than me, like first-division or pro-level dartists. Those moments? Yeah, I’m pretty proud of those. It’s like, ‘Wait… did I just do that?!’ followed by trying not to smile too hard.

What’s your trick for beating match nerves? Power poses? A lucky dart towel? Or do you just embrace the jitters until they turn into hype?

Honestly? I haven’t quite cracked the secret code for nerves yet. Mindset is everything though, I just keep telling myself: ‘Come on, you’ve got this.’ The more I play, the better I get at sticking to my own game instead of panicking when that deciding double is staring me down. Progress, not perfection!

Is it more challenging to navigate the darts world as a woman? Have you encountered this personally, maybe a moment where you thought, ‘Wow, that wouldn’t happen if I were a man’?

Honestly? I think it’s personal. I’m the type to speak up when something rubs me wrong, no filter. But being a woman in darts has its perks too. Most guys underestimate you at first and by the time they realize, ‘Oh crap, she’s good,’ their heads are already wrecked. They can’t flip the mental switch fast enough, so they keep throwing like trash. Funny enough, I get more comments about not drinking alcohol than about being a woman. Priorities, right? laughs

What changes would you love to see for women in darts? More prize money parity? Less ‘token female’ commentary? Or just getting rid of those cringe ‘Lady Luck’ headlines when we win?

I’d love to see more media spotlight on top-performing women, it would boost visibility, which helps with sponsorship opportunities and could eventually push prize money higher. Right now, the pay gap in women’s-only events is still way too big compared to men’s tournaments.

Same opportunities for women in darts? Be honest, what’s the biggest barrier you’ve faced?

Mostly, yes. Nearly all tournaments are open now, women can enter Q School or mixed events just as easily as men. If you ask to compete in a ‘men’s’ division instead of women’s, most organizers won’t blink. The real exception? The WDF. There, women can’t enter men’s events and the prize money is shockingly low. A woman could win everything and still not make a living, while men at that level can. That’s where the system still fails.

How much does it bother you that women’s finals get dumped on streaming, if they’re shown at all, while men’s matches get prime-time TV slots? It’s 2025, why are we still treating elite women players like an afterthought?

Is that really the case? At the Dutch Open, women were televised just as much as the men. The WDF streams finals on YouTube and Lakeside broadcasts everything on TV. When you see mostly men on TV, it’s often PDC events, but that’s not their fault, since no woman currently holds a Tour Card. And let’s be fair, the PDC Women’s Series airs on PDCTV, just like the men’s Floor Events. There’s no difference there.

If you could change ONE fundamental thing about the PDC/WDF system, what would it be?

At the PDC, I’d push for one clear change, award a Tour Card to the Women’s Series No. 1, just like the Challenge Tour winner gets. If we’re serious about growing the women’s game, that’s the fastest way to prove it, no token spots, no excuses.

For true equality, would you rather compete alongside men full-time, or keep separate women’s events?

For true equality, I’d choose mixed competition every time. Prize money often scales with participation and mixed events draw bigger fields. Yes, there are subtle physiological differences, women’s wider peripheral vision can make laser-focus harder and our muscle attachments increase risk of overextension, affecting straight throws. But if we keep segregating events ‘for fairness,’ we’re just institutionalizing the idea that women can’t compete. The board doesn’t discriminate, why should we?

Got any golden tips for girls who want to turn dart-throwing into a career, preferably without developing a lifelong grudge against the number 1?

Train, train, train and never give up. Like in any sport, hard work pays off. In darts, you’ll face slumps in your game and it’s important not to quit. And most importantly, find your joy. Darts is fun (and frustrating, as most know), but above all, keep enjoying it.

Her darts don’t miss. Her humor doesn’t quit. Her block finger? Lightning fast. Follow Alysa for the full unapologetic experience.

Instagram: instagram.com/alysadekok – Bullseyes with sass

Thank you, Alysa, for your passion, your perseverance, your power. Your evolution isn't just remarkable, it's radical. Each game you play confirms this sport bows to mastery, not masculinity. You're not adjusting the narrative, you're torching its old chapters.