ENGLAND Under-18 international Arron Fairweather heads to the Colchester Open on Sunday with his sights firmly set on being darts’ next bright young talent.

The Leiston High pupil, 17, is currently riding the crest of a wave having already represented the Suffolk men’s senior team and twice played for his country at youth level in 2012.

Remarkably, the teenager only took to the oche for the first time four years ago, following in the footsteps of his dad, Malcolm, but has since made giant strides forward.

He recently won 25 out of 27 games as he helped England under-18s take the runners-up prize in the doubles and earned an individual silver at the WDF Europe Cup Youth in Belgium.

The youngster who is currently studying for his A’ levels, lists 15-time PDC world champion Phil “The Power” Taylor as his favourite player, confessed he is ready to follow in the footsteps of his hero to reach the top.

“Phil Taylor is not 15-time world champion without dedication and I am prepared to do what it takes to make a living out of the game,” said Fairweather, who finished second in the Northern Youth Darts Organisation’s under-18s averages in the 2011-2012 season.

“He practises for about eight hours a day and I am prepared to make that sacrifice.

“All the holidays I take from work are used to go to darts tournaments and at the moment I practise for about an hour and a half a night, it’s like revising for an exam to me.”

Fairweather is also a keen footballer, having had trials at Norwich City and represented Ipswich Town at Development level, and plays for the youth team at Leiston but insists darts will always be his first love.

“If I could choose between football and darts I would choose darts,” he admitted.

“I get the Mickey taken out of me and people label it a pub game and that annoys me. There is more to it than just turning up, there is the travelling, expense and dedication to your training too.

“I once chose to play darts over playing in a cup final at football and that annoyed a few people but I didn’t care, I will do what makes me happy. I am not looking to go university because I think it will affect my darts.”

Fairweather eventually wants to emulate the achievements of Wymondham’s James Hubbard, the 20-year-old 2011 World Youth champion who now plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events with the likes of Taylor, Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis and James “The Machine” Wade.

“I reckon I could give it a good shot,” said Fairweather, who currently competes for the British Darts Organisation (BD0) and is the Suffolk Youth as well as the Felixstowe Open champion.

Fairweather, whose dad plays for Sizewell Sports & Social Club, competes in the World Winmau Masters in October and is hoping to be England’s sole pick for the World Cup which is due to be held next year.

The talented teenager is looking to explore sponsorship opportunities to help him develop his career. For more information contact 01728 832593 or find Arron on twitter @AFairweather180

n Top prize money at this weekend’s Colchester Open is �2,000 and losing quarter-finalists also receive pay-outs. Pre-entry is �10 for men, �7 for ladies and �5 for youths. Entry on the day is �13 for men, �9 for ladies and �7 for youths.