Darts champion Deta Hedman lands OBE honour

LONDON:

A female darts player from Jamaica has become the first person in the sport to be awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE), in the United Kingdom.

Deta Hedman, 65, who was born in St Thomas and migrated to the United Kingdom at the age of 14, received the award during the King’s Birthday Honours last month.

Hedman has performed in more ranked darts finals than any other man or woman in history, during a career spanning nearly 40 years.

Her recognition by the British monarch is not only on account of her achievements in the world of darts, but her charity work. The Jamaican is a patron for Hearts of Darts charity, which supports disabled children.

During the last 20 years the charity has raised more than £200,000, mainly helping young children with cerebral palsy.

Speaking exclusively to The Weekly Gleaner newspaper after receiving news of her OBE nomination Hedman said: “It’s unbelievable. A darts player has never received an OBE before. MBEs have been awarded, but not OBEs. It’s surreal.

“On the Friday morning when I received the letter informing me that I would receive an OBE I read, reread and reread the mail over and over again. My partner rang me and I said to him ‘Does it mean what I just read?”’

The dart player who lives in Essex added: “It doesn’t feel real. I’m now introduced at darts tournaments as Deta Hedman OBE and if anyone asks for an autograph they’ll say don’t forget to put the OBE.

“I’m trying to get used to receiving the honour. I’m just an ordinary girl that loves playing darts and charity work, who will help anyone if I can.”

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Hedman began playing in British Darts Organisation events in 1987, claiming some of the most prestigious titles including five World Cup of Darts wins. She was also the first woman in darting history to record a televised win over a male opponent, defeating Aaron Turner at the 2005 UK Open.

At 65 years of age Hedman has 241 ranked wins and a record number of lady caps for England. The darts player recently said: “I will be 66 in November, and my aim is still to win a world championship.”

Hedman is unclear when she will be visiting Buckingham Palace to receive the OBE and which member of the royal family she will meet, but is hoping she will be introduced to King Charles.

She said: “I’m waiting for the date to visit the Palace, and I could meet the King, the Queen or his son. I’m hoping I will receive the medal from the King. I want to say to him that we have the same birthday and enjoy some banter.”

When asked about her most rewarding victory, she named the Women’s Winmau Championship, a darts tournament operating under the Women’s Dart Circuit.

“I won Winmau in 1994 and 19 years later I won it again,” she said: “This weekend was also special, because when I was picked for the England team during the WDF Six Nations Cup there was a lot of controversy on social media, with some saying I shouldn’t be on the team.

“This weekend was so rewarding when I hit the double tops (double 20) to win the tournament for England. I was over the moon.”

When Hedman arrived in the UK she knew little about darts, but was introduced to the sport, by her brothers, who “were already involved in the culture of darts.”

She said: “I used to babysit for my second eldest brother and he had a darts board, which is how I was introduced to the game.

“I used to practise with my brother when he came home. During the weekends we would go to the pub for an hour or so, put our names up to play and that’s how I got into darts. I just loved it.

“It’s such an enjoyable game. You can play in so many different ways and meet so many different types of people, some friendly and some not so friendly. “

Hedman who works for the Royal Mail says she travels around the United Kingdom participating in darts tournaments most weekends.