Loxley Darts would like to extend our thanks to Connor Pickett for representing us proudly over the past 2 years. We wish Connor all the very best of luck as he moves on to the next step in his career.
Starting his playing career just 3 years ago, Connor Pickett has quickly evolved into one of the brightest talents in darts, claiming impressive wins over top youth stars, including 2019 BDO World Youth Champion, Leighton Bennett, as well as a Top 16 placing at the PDC Development Tour 6 in 2019 – he has the world at his feet, and I can’t wait to see what he achieves next!
First picking up a dart in 2015, Connor was inspired by watching professionals, such as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld, on TV during the big televised tournaments. From this, his love of the game grew into a passion, as his brother introduced him to his local league, where he quickly established himself as a starting player, and developed his ability on the oche, as well as how to conduct himself off it. “Ever since then”, he informed me, “I just loved to [play the] game, and the feeling was great”.
This feeling left Connor with a desire for more, entering youth tournaments up and down the country, hunting for his first title in the game. His proudest achievement, he says, was just that, as he claimed the 2019 BDO U18 Challenge Tour, defeating Leighton Bennett in the final! An incredible achievement! “I played my best darts”, Connor said, “I had the toughest draw which made the day even more fantastic”. “To beat the best youth, and Leighton Bennett in the final when he was the best in the world at that time was awesome!”. A truly fantastic achievement so early into his darting career, with Connor telling me he “felt amazing” after what was a gruelling day at the oche.
The moment he feels has defined his career to date was getting the opportunity to work with his two sponsors – Loxley Darts, and Darting Promotions. The confidence shown in him by two great companies has given him the drive to succeed in darts, as well as the knowledge that he has been given “the chance to make a future”.
In the short term, Connor has a simple goal – to become a Tour Card holder. He wishes to join the likes of Loxley’s Aaron Beeney, Ryan Searle and Matthew Edgar in playing on the professional tour, in order to achieve his long term goal of becoming World Champion. To Connor, “it would mean the world” to achieve his goals, and establish himself amongst the very top of the game, and to make himself, his family and sponsors proud.
Thank you to Connor for his contribution to this profile – best of luck on the Development Tour next year! I can’t wait to see his development over the coming years, and fully expect to see him on the professional circuit in no time! Thank you again to Loxley for the opportunity to write for them – more on the way!
Author – Joe Reid