Teenage darts sensation Terence Morton’s meteoric rise through the State and national rankings has earned him Australian under-18 selection for a major event in Europe later this year.
Morton, who was introduced to competitive darts by an uncle, is gearing up to contest the youth section of the WDF World Cup in Esbjerg, Denmark from September 26-30.
It will be his first trip abroad.
“I was shocked (to be selected) and (am) definitely a bit nervous,” Morton said.
“There’s four of us heading over (to Europe) — two boys and two girls, but I’m lucky enough to be the only player from WA selected.
“Two other WA juniors were selected to trial, but didn’t quite make it.”
Barely four years into his darts career, the 16-year-old this week said that a rapid ascent from Tuesday night pub matches in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Men’s Darts Association to junior State team prospect and national selection had changed his mindset about the game.
He burst to prominence 11 months ago when he was named to WA’s under-18 team for the national carnival in Melbourne and the hard work now begins.
“I throw (practice) every day for thee hours,” Morton said.
“Back then (after initially being named to the State under-18 team) I didn’t take it too seriously.
“But since being selected for WA, then going over to the national trials in Brisbane where I killed it and topped everything, I definitely feel that the way I approach it is different now.
“I’ve surprised myself and have come a long way from where I used to be when I first started playing.”
Morton had left school to work as a bricklayer, but it affected his darts.
“Bricklaying was hard because it wrecked my hands,” he said.
Morton’s breakout 2022 campaign included a big showing for the KBMDA at the annual country week series in Collie.
He followed up by winning the inaugural Kyle Anderson Memorial boys’ under-18 singles.