The diminutive 15-year-old (she’s just 157cm and reckons that’s as far as she’s going) is currently the number one ranked female Victorian under-18 champion – she is also number four nationally and is sitting on 47 (and climbing) in the world rankings.
A Year 10 student at Kyabram P-12, Caylee criss-crosses the region every week for competition in Echuca and Shepparton and has been a pivotal part of the Victorian under-18 team for the past few years.
It might not seem the sport most likely for too many pre-teens, but Caylee admits she had no choice.
“I was born into it,” she laughed.
“My grandparents play, and so does my mother, Jodie, so I guess you could say it is in my blood.”
At least there are no complaints about mum’s taxi — she was going to be there anyway.
Tuesday nights are in Shepparton with her team in the Shepparton Darts Association and Wednesdays it’s off to Echuca where games are shared between the Pastoral Hotel, Rich River Golf Club and occasionally at Lockington.
“I started playing when I was five and moved into competition darts at 11 and am now a regular in the Victorian under-18 side — and its youngest member at the moment,” Caylee said.
“It’s a great sport, it basically goes all year, with just a two-week break between seasons.
“Shepparton is much tougher, I play B-grade there, and mum plays C, but in Echuca I am in the As.”
In a normal night’s competition players compete in singles, doubles, reverse doubles and quads.
And in the classic demand of darts — each player starts at 501 and has to get down to zero with a double (in the outer ring of the dartboard) to finish.
Which is something Caylee has been working hard to improve every time she lines up a throw.
“I am coached by Joanne Hadley, one of Australia’s top-ranked players, and like all sports, I have really had to work my way up the rankings and am more of an elbow thrower than a wrist player,” Caylee said.
“In the past two years I have played for the state at Geelong and in NSW, and in January, we are headed for the nationals in Tasmania.
“You have to really want it. I have seen others burn out, so you have to be dedicated, and you can’t quit, you have to keep going.
“I really enjoy the thrill of the competition, and I have made so many friends since I started playing.”
She has also scored plenty of sponsors, who recognise a winning thing when they see it.
Starting with Michael Maskell’s Hard Learning (where Caylee also endures maths tutoring every week) and the Port of Echuca, through to the Shepparton and Echuca-Moama Darts Associations, Johnny’s Café in Kyabram, Wayne’s Cleaning Systems, and Stingray Management is delivering her new Facebook presence.
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