The New Croft Foundation is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of Ruby Grey, a talented and rapidly rising star in the world of darts.
At just 15 years old, Ruby has already made a significant impact on the national stage, and we are honoured to support her journey as she aims to become the UK’s number one female darts player.
Ruby’s recent triumph at the England Open Festival of Darts in Ilfracombe, Devon, has captured the attention of the darts community. In a stunning performance, Ruby, who entered the tournament unseeded, defeated Scotland’s junior world number two-ranked player, Sophie McKinlay, to claim the Girls' title.
After topping her group with two decisive victories, Ruby advanced to the semi-finals, where she won 4-1, and went on to clinch the final with an impressive 5-2 victory.
This remarkable achievement has not only earned Ruby the prestigious title but also placed her in a strong position for a spot on the England national team, with her accumulated points putting her at the forefront of the England team qualifiers.
Her exceptional talent has even caught the eye of coaches within the sport, with one noting that he believes Ruby possesses the best throw in the women’s game, including senior players.
Ruby’s journey to the top has been anything but easy. She first picked up a dart under the guidance of her darts-enthusiast father shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Ruby has shown remarkable resilience and dedication, progressing from local leagues in Haverhill and Sudbury to the Haverhill Ladies Super League, and from the Suffolk Youth team to making her debut with the senior A team in June this year.
Her rapid rise in the sport has been all the more impressive given the challenges she has faced, including preparing for her GCSEs amidst a devastating house fire last year that claimed her dartboard and forced her family to move into temporary housing for eight months.
However, with the support of family friends and local league players Cliff Foley and Penny Doyle, who provided her with a new dartboard, Ruby was able to continue honing her skills and pushing forward in her career.
Looking ahead, Ruby is set to compete in two major tournaments in September: the England Masters in Selsey, Sussex, and the British Classic in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. These events are critical as she continues her bid for a national team spot, and The New Croft Foundation is excited to stand behind her as she pursues her dreams.
“We are incredibly proud to sponsor Ruby Grey, whose talent, determination, and perseverance have already set her apart in the world of darts,” said Lois Balfour, Head of Foundation at The New Croft Foundation. “Our foundation is committed to supporting young athletes in achieving their goals, and we believe Ruby has the potential to become the UK’s number one female darts player. We are honoured to be part of her journey and look forward to celebrating her future successes.”
Haverhill Youth Activity Trust (HYAT), also sponsoring Ruby, hopes their funding will support her career development. Marian Merch-Chammon, HYAT Trustee said: “HYAT were delighted to support Ruby and her progression in darts. Hopefully, this funding will support her future career development as she aspires to become the best female player in the UK. It makes us extremely proud to support young people like Ruby who have clear goals and ambitions but just require support.”
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