Referee Huw Ware instantly creates history at World Darts Championship final
Referee Huw Ware has made instant history at the PDC World Darts Championship final. Luke Littler and Michael Van Gerwen met in a historic and mouth-watering PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, with ‘The Nuke’ becoming the sport’s youngest-ever world champion. PDCWare made instant history at Ally Pally[/caption] Millions around the world had their eyes fixated on the oche, as two of the very best at the tungsten craft produced a magical affair. But it was the referee who attracted immediate positive attention, as he stepped on stage to call the match. And his name was etched immediately in the history books as he became the first openly gay referee to call the sport’s showpiece final. He released a statement on his blog, delighted with the news. It read: “To be honest tomorrow will be the biggest day of my life. “I’ve been with the PDC for eight years now and it will be one of the biggest honours of my life to take charge of the second half and call in the champion. “If I was to say anything to that, it would be that if there are gay boys or gay girls out there who are worried that their sexuality could close doors to worlds they would like to be in but no longer feel that they can, then that is not the case. “These worlds, like the sports world, are open to everybody both gay and straight, and even if the journey can be hard sometimes, days like tomorrow make it so worth it. “No matter who you are you can achieve in any world you want to, and most importantly, you can belong.” Some truly brilliant referees have graced the Ally Pally stage including legend Russ Bray who retired after last year’s final. Littler become world champion with Ware as refereeGetty Ware took control of the final stages of the match, with Kirk Bevins controlling the match from the start. Ware called the incredible final which saw Littler totally dominate Van Gerwen on his way to the title. He also picked up the Ballon D’Art for hitting the most 180s in the tournament with a total of 76. Speaking after becoming world champion, Littler said: “I can’t believe it. We both played so well. “I’ve said in interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start tonight and that’s what I did. “But he was behind me the whole game, those cover shots – he’d hit two trebles and I’d have to come back with two or three. “Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it. “I keep saying it but that first game against Ryan Meikle [in round two] was the one that really mattered, and throughout I’ve just settled. “At 2-0 up [in the final set] I started getting nervous but I said to myself to just relax. “I was throwing for the match and to get it over and done with then was special.”
Referee Huw Ware has made instant history at the PDC World Darts Championship final.
Luke Littler and Michael Van Gerwen met in a historic and mouth-watering PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, with ‘The Nuke’ becoming the sport’s youngest-ever world champion.
Millions around the world had their eyes fixated on the oche, as two of the very best at the tungsten craft produced a magical affair.
But it was the referee who attracted immediate positive attention, as he stepped on stage to call the match.
And his name was etched immediately in the history books as he became the first openly gay referee to call the sport’s showpiece final.
He released a statement on his blog, delighted with the news.
It read: “To be honest tomorrow will be the biggest day of my life.
“I’ve been with the PDC for eight years now and it will be one of the biggest honours of my life to take charge of the second half and call in the champion.
“If I was to say anything to that, it would be that if there are gay boys or gay girls out there who are worried that their sexuality could close doors to worlds they would like to be in but no longer feel that they can, then that is not the case.
“These worlds, like the sports world, are open to everybody both gay and straight, and even if the journey can be hard sometimes, days like tomorrow make it so worth it.
“No matter who you are you can achieve in any world you want to, and most importantly, you can belong.”
Some truly brilliant referees have graced the Ally Pally stage including legend Russ Bray who retired after last year’s final.
Ware took control of the final stages of the match, with Kirk Bevins controlling the match from the start.
Ware called the incredible final which saw Littler totally dominate Van Gerwen on his way to the title.
He also picked up the Ballon D’Art for hitting the most 180s in the tournament with a total of 76.
Speaking after becoming world champion, Littler said: “I can’t believe it. We both played so well.
“I’ve said in interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start tonight and that’s what I did.
“But he was behind me the whole game, those cover shots – he’d hit two trebles and I’d have to come back with two or three.
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it.
“I keep saying it but that first game against Ryan Meikle [in round two] was the one that really mattered, and throughout I’ve just settled.
“At 2-0 up [in the final set] I started getting nervous but I said to myself to just relax.
“I was throwing for the match and to get it over and done with then was special.”
