by James Dodd
GROWING up during apartheid, falling in love with the game his family loved so much, the initial difficulty of moving to England and much more. Here is the story of how Devon Petersen made it in darts.
Born in Cape Town in 1986, Petersen was brought up into a family that had been dealing with apartheid for years.
He grew up with his parents and two older brothers, and believes he wasn’t as impacted by the system as much as they were.
“Ultimately, I came in at the back end of it, by then they were already cultured and put in a sense where I was protected from the apartheid,” the 34-year-old said.
“We didn’t go to the beaches where it was whites only because we weren’t allowed. I didn’t know that until I grew up and realised.
“In hindsight, everything has come to the fore. My childhood was great growing up.
“I felt like I lived in a palace, which wasn’t a pretty house. To me it was great, my family did well, even though behind the scenes they might have struggled.
“I think the representation that my parents gave me was a great upbringing and it’s given me the positive energy. I wasn’t affected negatively by apartheid.
“I think if I was born ten or fifteen years before, I think it would have affected me negatively because of the potentials of different jobs and all of those things and being segregated.
“By the time I grew up, I experienced a full life and I continue to do so. From a direct impact, there was very little.
“If you look at how South Africa was formed through apartheid and post-apartheid, there’s a whole host of corrections that need to take place.
“It’s not only racism; it’s based in principle and moral. That was basically what apartheid was all about.”
As he grew older, he saw how strong the relationship between his family and the sport really was.
Despite not being allowed to play in his early childhood, Petersen explained how quickly he fell in love with darts.
“I was always told no I can’t play. You’re too little. You’re too young. The darts are sharp and if it hops out and all of that stuff,” said the African Warrior.
“Growing up I wasn’t allowed, so I played a bit more football then darts. Once I could actually throw the dart decently and reach the board it became quite different.
“I realised that I had a knack for it at an early age. I just fell in love with the game and I (used) a lot of my spare or free time – even as a kid, even though there wasn’t a reason to practice because I wasn’t going to play in the league or anything.
“My dad then said if you fancy playing next year because I was finishing school at that time. I put in extra effort that summer and the rest is history as they say.”
So, after a career which has now seen the South African compete in the PDC since 2010, what has been the main highlights?
“The Q-School was probably the biggest result for me, not from a profile perspective but as a belief perspective.
“If you’re looking at wins for profile, I played Ian White in the World Championship in the 2018 season and he was leading 2-0. That I feel was my turning point in my career and I was putting the hard work in before that.
“That was the turning point and the reason why I’m achieving what I am now. The Justin Pipe game, he was ranked number one on the Pro Tour that season, dominating a potential Premier League spot as well and I beat him.
“It could have been the second round, which was fantastic for me because I knew what great player he is, and I was returning from injury at that point.
“There’s a whole host of moments. You could easily go with the Gerwyn Price game or Peter Wright game.
“A Michael van Gerwen 6-0 win. Loads of highlights but I think that if I talk about moments that I will never forget, it is that feeling of winning the Tour Card the first time.”
In order to give himself the best opportunity possible in being successful in the sport, Petersen had to commit fully. This meant moving away from his family to live in Bradford, England.
This is something that took time to get used to.
“In the beginning it was tough because I was the only person here. Meeting Joe (Cullen) and a lot of other dart players and befriending them (helped).
“Coming from South Africa, and not knowing anybody from a bar of soap here. If I look at how I grew up, it was always family, friends, always people over, always visiting friends and partying and stuff like that.
“It quickly changed when I came over here where you are kind of alone in a dark room practicing all the time and then going to events.
“If you lose, you’re coming home to an empty house and nobody there for support. The only support you get is virtual, like a FaceTime or WhatsApp call or message.
“It was tough in the beginning but all struggles, it starts out like that and you get stronger and stronger and stronger.”
Devon became a father for the first time in 2018, and now currently has two children with his wife, and explained to how happy he currently is with having them by his side.
“Now my family are over here, it’s easier now. I’ve got two little kids, so it changes the way you in which you feel after the event.
“You win, it’s celebration because you’ve impacted your family’s life financially and obviously, they’re happy for you.
“If you lose, you come home, they’re there for you because it’s just home. The little things mean so much more.
“I think now in hindsight if I look back, those struggles were worth it and now my family is enjoying the success that I’m having.”
You can also read the story of Devon’s successful 2020 by clicking the link below:
“The plan has always been to be world champ” – Dancing Devon looks ahead to 2021
