Skill matters most, female players show this constantly. From small tournaments to big events, they're proving how good they are. Their high scores and perfect finishes prove darts is all about talent and practice. Introducing Sally Kelly, from North Liberty, Indiana, living in Boston now for 25 years. Seeing these players do so well makes me love the sport even more. They're not just playing the game, they're making it better.

Looking back, how did your dart-throwing journey begin? What drew you to the game in the first place?

My sister ran a bar in Indiana while I was in college. She needed a substitute for her soft-tip league. In soft-tip darts, a perfect 301 game is six darts, I threw a seven-dart game my first night. I was hooked. I learned to play soft-tip in Indiana, then traveled to Chicago for the BullShooter tournament. There, a 6’5” guy from Boston walked up and kissed me on the lips, saying I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and asked me to dinner. I slapped him. The next year at the same tournament, I saw him again. When I asked if he remembered me, he repeated the exact same line. This time, I told him I’d only go to dinner if we had a chaperone we both knew. Canada’s John Part (yes, that John Part) ended up on our first date. We married six months later. My husband was Dave Kelly, one of the first two Americans in the WDC (now PDC). He taught me steel-tip darts, which I now primarily play. Beyond playing, I’ve worked for Arachnid (the electronic dartboard company), American dart leagues and now with the CDC (PDC’s U.S. partner) in sales, officiating and refereeing. I’ve seen darts from every angle, but I’ll always be a player first.

When you think about what makes darts special to you, what stands out the most?

The People! I’ve made friends on every continent through darts. Since I both play and work in the sport, I get amazing travel opportunities. The players and fans you meet along the way are incredible. Thanks to social media, we all stay connected.

Tell us about that one darting win where you couldn’t help but celebrate like a champion?

When I won my first WDF title, absolute dream come true!

Was there a specific drill, routine or mental approach that gave you the biggest improvement in your darts?

Practice is only as good as you make it. If you don’t watch your form, you’re just reinforcing bad habits. Stay in the moment. Watch your elbow. Follow through. Keep your foot in the same position. Reinforce the right techniques in your form.

We all have that one bad habit, what’s yours? The darting error you know better than to make, but still do?

The math! Those little calculation mistakes drive me crazy! I was just in Texas playing doubles with Andrea Taylor. Last dart, I needed double18. I was barely outside. Andrea ran to the board, pulled my dart and placed it just outside double 17 while laughing. I’d messed up the math!

For women aiming to go pro in darts, what would you identify as the most significant obstacles to overcome?

Having the time to travel, choosing the right tournaments is key. You can’t hit them all and still work full-time. I’m a controller for a large construction company, but I’m lucky, I work four long days a week and get Fridays off to travel. I focus on the majors in America, but this year, I set a goal to play more in Europe. I made it to Budapest for a WDF event and now I’m just back from Denmark!

What’s your most convincing argument when someone dismisses the quality of women’s darts?

Become a fan! For me, it’s all about the players. Everyone knows MVG, Littler, Aspinall, people tune in to watch them. I’ll admit, as an American, I sometimes struggle with WDF tournaments because I don’t know as many players. But look what Fallon Sherrock and Beau Greaves are doing for the game! Here in America, we’ve got Tracey Fiertag, Paula Murphy, Aaja Jalbert and others throwing fantastic darts. The level keeps rising. Give women’s darts a chance, you won’t regret it!

From your perspective in the sport, do you believe women currently have equal opportunities in competitive darts?

I don’t. Darts is a business. At American tournaments, men’s singles entries dwarf women’s, so how do we demand equal pay and coverage? Women must build women’s sports. Look at the WNBA, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese drew eyes, filled seats and brought money. Now paydays and airtime grow. We need to pioneer like Lisa Ashton, Deta Hedman and Linda Duffy did, keep lifting the sport they built for us.

If you had the power to rewrite one fundamental rule in darts culture to better support women players, what would you change first?

I don’t think I have one. But we’re growing, that’s what matters!

As darts has such strong pub roots, have you ever felt excluded or unwelcome in those spaces as a woman?

I haven’t. I love a good pub, I’m used to promoting, can hold my own on the board and always have a great time!

Which sports leagues are nailing the promotion of their female athletes and what specific strategies could darts adopt from them?

The WNBA! When Caitlin Clark joined the Indiana Fever, they sold out their season tickets. The Connecticut Sun even moved games to Boston Garden, a bigger venue, for the first time. And their social media and email game? Amazing. Those constant touches keep the league front and center.

You’re assembling the ultimate darts player, which three non-physical ‘stats’ would you max out first and why?

Be smart, you’ve got to know the math. Be outgoing on stage, we need more characters in the game. Stay friendly, the fans deserve your best.

Join Sally’s squad for darting gold: savage checkouts, laugh-out-load takes and trolls who disappear quicker than your last beer after leg 5.

Facebook: facebook.com/sally.kelly – Personality with perfect grouping
Instagram: instagram.com/sally_kelly_darts – Style meets steel tip

Thank you, Sally, for showing us what’s possible. Your story isn’t just motivational, it’s game-changing, with your commitment to darts. Game after game, you prove what’s possible. And you’re not just playing, you’re creating opportunities for others.