Up-and-coming Kent darts player Vicky Cauteruccio – who used to operate the Fitzwalter Arms in Goodnestone, prior to the pandemic – is aiming for big time with sponsorship from the Faversham-based brewer and pub company.
Cauteruccio, who lives in Sandwich and operated the village pub with her wife Ant, opted to focus on darts full-time and is now ranked 43rd in the World Darts Federation (WDF) UK and Ireland Women’s rankings.
On a family holiday last year, Cauteruccio was encouraged to enter a darts event and having made it to the semi-final, she decided to make the leap into sport.
Very surprised
“It is all a learning curve,” she said. “The darts were always on in my house, and mum and dad both played in teams when I was growing up.
“I had always played in pub teams and we’d won the league a few times but I never thought of anything more than that. I was very surprised to reach the semi-final. I just stood back and thought this is unreal. It was mad.”
Cauteruccio, who has two sons aged two and five, first played in the Mill Inn in Deal and now plays in the Vault in Dover while practising for about two hours a day on her own dartboard at home.
Growing interest
“I’m over the moon to have received sponsorship from Shepherd Neame,” she said. “We have a strong relationship with the brewery, and I have always played in pubs, so it feels very fitting. I hope I can do Shepherd Neame proud.”
Shepherd Neame head of brands Rose Davis said: “We are delighted to help Vicky on her journey in the darts world. There has been a growing interest in women’s sports in recent years, including in darts, and we are pleased to back Vicky as she champions both to a wider audience.”
The PDC event, which is being screened in pubs across the UK during the festive period, continues tonight with Luke Littler facing Ryan Searle while Gian van Veen takes on Scotsman Gary Anderson.
