Darts prodigy, 15, qualifies for world championships

Lexi-Jayne Rooksby said she would "try her best" when she goes to the competition in Gibraltar

A 15-year-old girl has qualified for a major junior darts competition.

Lexi-Jayne Rooksby from Rushden, Northamptonshire, will play in the JDC World Youth Championship in Gibraltar in November.

Nicknamed "The Knockout", Rooksby only took up playing the sport two years ago as a favour to her dad because his pub team were "short of players."

"I am [pleased to qualify], I didn't think I was going to get as far as I did," she said.

Lexi-Jayne Rooksby first helped out with her father's pub team about two years ago

Rooksby has played at county level and has come up against other Northamptonshire professionals including Kettering's "Rapid" Ricky Evans and father and son duo James and Josh Richardson - also from Rushden.

By her own admission, Rooksby said she "doesn't practise much" and never practised at home.

Speaking about her chances at the upcoming tournament, Rooskby said: "I hope I do well, but there's going to be good people there. I'll try my best."

'No inkling'

Rooksby's father Mick Rooksby said he was "really proud" of what she had achieved.

Mr Rooksby added: "When she first started playing, there was no inkling to what she was going to be like, so when she qualified, there were a few tears.

"To only do [minimum practice] and be as good as she is - you don't really hear those kind of stories."

Darts has had a surge in popularity after Luke Littler became the youngest player to reach the PDC World Darts Championship final, at the age of just 16, in December 2023.