Cam Crabtree made his big stage debut at the Grand Slam of Darts and is set to make another appearance at Alexandra Palace.

Crabtree had a pretty good year, topping the PDC Development Tour after winning five titles, earning a tour card through Q School and then making it to the Grand Slam, where he didn’t advance from the group but put in a strong performance, beating world No. 5 Jonny Clayton.

Now he is targeting the World Darts Championship as another stepping stone to continue the whirlwind start to his career.

While exciting, he makes sure to stay grounded and enjoy the big moments rather than chasing bigger goals.

“It’s obviously exciting. At the start of the year it was a goal of mine and everyone who starts playing darts dreams of playing darts at the Ally Pally, so it’s exciting,” Crabtree said.

“Growing up, everyone wants to play at Alexandra Palace, the prize money has gone up and more people are watching than ever before, so it’s a bit surreal. You have to pinch yourself but I’m really looking forward to it.

“I haven’t really set any goals, I want to go out there and the most important thing is to play well. If I play well, I might have some chances and perform well.

“But that first year, it was just about going out there and playing ball, and then I could build on that in the years to come.”

From GCSE to darts practice

Crabtree discovered darts during the pandemic, while his father excelled at the game.

With time on his hands as GCSE exams were cancelled, Crabtree began practicing and discovering his talent, which his father helped him hone by entering him into tournaments before encouraging him to attend Q School.

Crabtree believes that it was his father’s encouragement that made him what he is today.

I’m lucky that it’s become my job and I still think it’s fun, so I wake up most mornings wanting to play darts. As long as this continues, I’ll be extremely lucky.

“I was in my final year of GCSEs when Covid happened but they got cancelled, so I was just bored at home,” he added.

“I was like playing computer games with my friends and it got boring after a few weeks.

“My dad had a board at home. He had been playing since he was a teenager, playing in online leagues. I wanted to join and he said, ‘If you like practicing, you can play.'”

“I practiced a few hours a day. He wasn’t really paying attention, so one night he asked me if I had practiced. I said I practiced about two hours a day and enjoyed it. Then I just wanted to get better, so I kept playing.

“He was a big influence. That’s why I played, because he played. From then on he got me in the right direction in terms of Premier League, Championship and counties.”

“That was his idea when I first went to Q School. I was really bad, but I got a lot of experience that year and just kept improving from there.”

“Wake up and want to play darts”

What allowed Crabtree to enjoy the freedom we see? In fact, he calls his passion a job.

“It was great and I was very proud, but at the time I just thought it was funny and I went and played darts with my friends and it was a lot of fun,” he said.

“I’m lucky that it’s become my job and I still think it’s fun. I wake up most mornings wanting to play darts. As long as that continues, I’m very lucky.

“I just love it and that’s what we play for all year, playing on these big stages, so you have to enjoy it and make the most of it.

“It was so much fun to have so many people there and treat it like an occasion.”

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Until January 3, you can watch every match live exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky Channel 407). Live stream darts and more top sports with NOW.