‘I stood next to Luke Littler as he became world darts champion – it’s been crazy’

Cardiff: Huw Ware, a darts referee, shared his thoughts at the Romilly pub in Pontcanna. He just called the world championship final, and now he’s off to Bahrain for another tournament. It’s been a wild ride for him.

Huw, who’s 31 and from Barry, feels grateful for the changes in his life. He recalls how he started calling darts matches at just 12 years old. Back then, he was just a kid who wanted to play but ended up finding his passion in officiating.

He remembers a moment when he called a tricky score perfectly, and the crowd was amazed. That buzz hooked him. He never thought he’d be a referee; he wanted to be a player. But life took a different turn.

Refereeing a darts match isn’t as easy as it sounds. Huw explains that staying calm and focused is key. They arrive an hour early, walk on stage, and then it’s game time. He makes it sound simple, but it’s a lot of pressure.

Interestingly, Huw wasn’t great at math before darts. Now, he can quickly add scores and knows the dartboard inside out. It’s become second nature for him, which is pretty impressive.

During a match, Huw works with two markers who help keep track of scores. They write down what he calls, and their job is just as crucial. If he makes a mistake, they still have to record it. It’s a team effort.

Huw often has “pinch me” moments, especially since he started watching darts at 11. He recalls being hooked after watching a match between Phil Taylor and Dennis Priestley. Darts is fun and easy to watch, which is why so many people love it.

He’s now officiating players he once idolized, which feels surreal. Huw became one of the youngest referees at a professional game at just 17. He had to choose between playing and refereeing, and he made the smart choice.

He’s learned that there are only so many ways to shout “180,” and being a good referee means standing out. Huw has seen darts grow in popularity, with millions tuning in to watch the finals. It’s exciting to see the sport become mainstream.

Huw is also proud to be visible as a gay man in darts. He started a group called Out on the Oche to support LGBT+ individuals in the sport. He didn’t set out to be an advocate, but he hopes his presence shows that darts is for everyone.

He acknowledges that there’s still work to be done for LGBT+ acceptance in sports. But he feels he belongs now, even if he faced challenges in the past. Huw’s journey is inspiring, and he’s making a difference for others in the community.