By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE Kewish family can’t help but continue to send shockwaves through the local darts scene.
The Hoppers Crossing father-daughter combo of Steven and Tori Kewish will join family friend Harley Kemp, also from Hoppers Crossing, in Canberra later this month for the 2013 Australian Darts Championships.
Tori, 16, is one of the youngest throwers to ever gain selection in a ladies’ senior state team, while Steve and Harley are both more experienced campaigners.
“I’ve been winning tournaments in Victoria against the older, more advanced girls – but I am pretty stoked,” Tori said of her state selection.
“It is a privilege, but it’s the best thing I’ve done other than the Australian title last year.”
Considering she has only been competing for two years, Tori has already managed to build up quite a substantial record, headlined by last year’s win in the Australian Open Ladies DPA Event in Queensland.
Currently ranked in the top 10 nation-wide, Tori also finished runner-up in the Junior Australian Girls Singles Championships in 2012.
Not bad for a girl growing up more interested in basketball.
Despite that, with the help of the influence of her dad, darts very quickly won Tori over.
“I’d go to darts with dad frequently – but I wouldn’t really care,” she admitted.
“But then we had mates around and we just started throwing and that caught my interest and the social part of it was the best.
“I like the friends you make as well, not just the competitive side. But the competitive side is pretty cool, too.”
Harley, 18, also proved to be an important influence on Tori taking up the sport on a competitive level.
He himself boasts an impressive record since making his own senior state team debut as a 16-year-old, winning numerous tournaments around the state and taking his talents all the way to the United Kingdom, the sport’s heartland.
The eight-day tournament will begin on 26 July, and will include the Australian Team’s Championships and the Australian Singles events.
