Forgotten Women of Darts: The Trailblazers Before Beau Greaves

 The rise of Beau Greaves has shone a fresh light on the women’s game, confident, clinical, and competing toe-to-toe with the men.

But before the Women’s Series, before Ally Pally walk-ons and TV slots, there were a handful of pioneering women who carried the game when no cameras were watching.

They’re rarely mentioned now, yet they set the stage for everything Beau and Fallon Sherrock enjoy today. Let’s meet five of the forgotten heroes of women’s darts.

 Gayl King – The Original Pioneer

Long before Fallon Sherrock made headlines, Gayl King quietly made history.

In 2001, the Canadian became the first woman ever to play in the PDC World Darts Championship, earning her place by winning the North American Cup.

She faced Graeme Stoddart at the Circus Tavern and lost 3-1 in sets, but the result barely mattered. King had proved that women belonged on the biggest stage.

Since then she’s slipped from public memory, yet her legacy remains: she walked so others could run.

Stacy Bromberg - The Forgotten World Champion

Known as 'The Wish Granter', Stacy Bromberg dominated American darts for nearly two decades.

She was U.S. No. 1 sixteen times, won countless national titles, and in 2010 lifted the only PDC Women’s World Championship ever staged, edging Tricia Wright 6–5 in a thriller.

The event was meant to spark a women’s circuit — but it never returned. Bromberg kept inspiring others until her passing in 2017.

A true champion, sadly without the spotlight her achievement deserved.

 Ann-Louise Peters - The Danish Flagbearer

In an era dominated by English and Dutch players, Ann-Louise Peters carried the flag for Scandinavia.

She reached the semi-finals of the 2014 BDO World Championship, helped Denmark win WDF Europe Cup team gold, and consistently mixed it with the best.

Quiet, classy, and determined, Peters proved that talent in women’s darts was global and not just British. She stepped away from the tour soon after, but her legacy lives on in every non-UK player who dreams big.

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Tricia Wright - The Nearly-Forgotten Finalist

If Stacy Bromberg was the champion, Tricia Wright was the other half of that 2010 story.

Wright pushed Bromberg to a deciding leg in the PDC Women’s World Championship final, and over her long BDO career collected titles across Europe.

She never quite became a household name, but her role in that historic final makes her part of darts history.

The 'forgotten finalist'  and a reminder of how small the women’s spotlight once was.

Francis Hoenselaar – The Jimmy White of Women’s Darts

If ever there was a Jimmy White of the women’s game, it’s Francis Hoenselaar.

For years she was runner-up to Trina Gulliver, finishing second six times at Lakeside before finally winning the BDO World Championship in 2009.

A six-time World Masters and five-time Zuiderduin Masters champion, she was stylish, consistent, and loved by fans.

Hoenselaar retired in 2011 after injury, but her perseverance remains a symbol of grace in defeat, and ultimate reward.

Closing Thoughts

Every era needs its pioneers. Before social media, before the glamour of the PDC stage, women like King, Bromberg, Peters, Wright, and Hoenselaar were carving out opportunities where none existed.

They may not trend on TikTok or walk out to a packed Ally Pally crowd, but they built the foundations of modern women’s darts.

Next time you watch Beau Greaves or Fallon Sherrock on TV, remember that their path was cleared by these unsung heroes.

Who Can Follow Beau Greaves to the Very Top?

 For years, darts fans have wondered when a woman would genuinely challenge the men on the PDC stage. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Fallon Sherrock and her history-making Ally Pally wins, Lisa Ashton’s brave runs on the Pro Tour, and Mikuru Suzuki’s impressive averages on the Women’s Series. Each showed glimpses that it could happen, but so far, none have made that final step into the upper tiers of the professional game.

Enter Beau Greaves.
Still only in her early twenties, she’s already a dominant force on the Women’s Series and has proven she can mix it with the men. Her smooth throw, natural rhythm, and icy composure under pressure have made her one of the most gifted players, male or female, to emerge in recent years. With more regular PDC appearances likely in 2025, there’s a real sense that Beau could push the boundaries further than anyone before her.

But who else might follow?

One name to watch is Gemma Hayter. She’s been steadily improving, putting in strong performances across regional events and the Women’s Series. While not quite at Greaves’ level yet, she’s not too far off and it will be fascinating to see how she performs at Q School in January. She has the temperament, the will, and the game to cause some upsets. Ireland's Rebecca Allen is one for the future and will be interesting if she tries her hand on the Women's Series soon. She is arguably the best under 18 year old female player in the world. 

In the men’s game, the next generation is already queuing up. Players like Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Wessel Nijman, have shown that age is no barrier to competing at elite level. Their rapid rise demonstrates what can happen when young players get the exposure, support, and competitive opportunities they need.

That’s perhaps where the women’s game still has work to do.
The Women’s Series streaming boards have added some much-needed visibility — but it’s still limited. Imagine if there were regular tournament highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content showcasing the personalities and rivalries developing on the circuit. More visibility means more role models — and that’s what will ultimately encourage more young women to pick up the darts and believe they can make it.

Beau Greaves has shown the path.
Now the question is: who’s next to follow her?