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Fallon Sherrock believes signing up for a new innovative darts competition will help take her game to new levels ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam.
The best-known player in women’s darts is part of an impressive field for the MODUS Super Series, which got underway earlier this month. Dubbed darts’ version of football’s Championship, the Super Series is open to non-Tour card holders. Broadcast live on YouTube between Monday and Saturday from a purpose venue in Portsmouth, matches are timed so they don't clash with top football matches and other big sporting events.
Each week, 12 players compete in a series of group matches from Monday to Friday, with six qualifiers facing off in front of a live audience at Finals Night every Saturday evening. After 13 weeks, the 12 previous weekly winners compete in Champions Week to be crowned the MODUS Super Series champion and receive a £20,000 champion’s prize.
READ MORE: Fallon Sherrock makes more history winning first Women's Matchplay – and pockets £10,000
Former BDO world champion Martin Adams, current WDF king Neil Duff and World Seniors champion Robert Thornton, Lisa Ashton and Kevin Painter are among the players involved. A number of up-and-coming players are also taking part, with aim of providing valuable experience for Tour hopefuls.
The Super Series replaces the Online Darts Live League, which took off at the start of the pandemic with players playing from home. For Sherrock, it means she can enjoy regular quality match action without her dog interfering.
“That [the Live League] helped every player keep busy and active. For me personally, it was a great help,” she said. “I remember when it all started back in lockdown online in your front room and my dog interfering quite a lot!
“But I never thought it would extend to where it is now, playing on a big stage and not out of a room. It’s gone really well and is only going to get better and will give the players plenty of stage practice.
“The fact that it mainly takes place on weekdays also made it more significant for me as it allows me to spend more time at weekends with my son.”
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Sherrock had mixed results in the World Series of Darts over the summer but won the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool to secure her place at the Grand Slam in November.
“I think the proof is there to see that many players have hugely benefited from the MODUS league since its initial inception,” she said.
“When I played in the Online Darts Live League in Southampton it gave me a lot of success in my game, it filled me with loads of confidence and I was able to get a lot of match practice.
“So playing regularly at the MODUS Super Series in between my other events is only going to be a plus. I’m sure, come to the Grand Slam of Darts, I’ll be in a better place.”
Sherrock’s World Series campaign concludes with the Finals in Amsterdam this weekend. She has been handed the toughest of first round ties against world champion Peter Wright.
“I really enjoyed the experience of playing in the World Series of Darts events,” she added. “It was great getting the chance to regularly play in a mix of countries around the world. It was amazing to be part of the series and I am grateful to the PDC for their commitment to me.”
One of her main goals for the rest of the year is to secure a place at the World Championship via the PDC Women’s Series. She currently holds the second of two qualifying sports, but rising star Beau Greaves, who swept the board at the latest round of Women’s Series events, is breathing down her neck. However, Sherrock remains confident of clinging onto second spot, with first having already been bagged by Ashton.
Asked if she was confident of booking a spot at the Worlds, she said: “No sport’s professional should play their sport at the top level if they are not confident in what they do.”
On the rise of teenager Greaves, she added: “I have known Beau for many years and she is a very good player and a very nice person.”
Fallon Sherrock was speaking to the Daily Star in conjunction with the MODUS Super Series.
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