Disability darts player from Birchwood ranks among best in the world

Michael Austin, 51, started playing darts when he was 12 years old after his dad brought home an old darts board from a pub.

After practicing constantly in his room and watching it on television, Michael joined a pub team which he played for until he was 23.

In 2006, Michael was involved in a serious crash on his way to work, when a car cut across his path while riding his motorcycle.

Michael’s left leg was trapped between the two vehicles after the collision, where his skin and tissue were torn from the bone.

“Luckily, there was a fast response ambulance a half a mile down the road,” said Michael.

“It was the emergency services worker’s first day on the job on her own – she saved my life that day. If she wasn’t there, I probably wouldn’t have survived.”

Michael needed 33 units of blood after the crash to keep him alive, and his left leg was amputated above the knee as a result of the collision.

After he received his false leg, Michael found his love of darts again, and started playing in 2007, one year after his crash.

“It was very traumatic after. There were very dark days,” he said.

“When you have a severe disability, you can quite easily sit at home and watch TV and not do a lot.

“But it’s really put a smile back on my face that I can get back out there and do something I enjoy doing and can do quite well.”

Michael started playing darts when he was 12 years old (Image: Supplied)

In 2014, World ParaDarts started, offering players with disabilities a chance to play against each other rather than able bodied players.

Michael didn’t know about World ParaDarts until last year when a friend told him about the league, and he has found that it has offered him a supportive and understanding environment to play in.

“I’ve always tried to play against able bodied people, and it’s a bit awkward and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating because they don’t realise or don’t think straight away that I might need a bit more space to wobble past them on crutches or whatever I’m doing at the time,” he said.

“But with the disability players, because they’re all in their own position, they’re all so understanding and it’s like a big family – everyone helps everyone.

“If for some reason you can’t play, it’s all understandable and they’re quite happy to delay to let you have a long rest.”

Michael has undergone 12 to 15 different surgeries on his left leg and can struggle with pain.

“I suffer with horrendous back pain, horrendous stump pain – sometimes I can’t even put the leg on because it’s so painful and the phantom pain is like electric shocks,” he said.

“So, the biggest problem with long weekends is I have to keep sitting down for ages and pace myself and decide what medication to take and at what time so that it’s possible for me to do it.”

After working his way up the rankings, Michael is now ranked second in the UK and eighth in World ParaDarts.

Unfortunately, due to the cost of flights and hotels, Michael hasn’t been able to fly to Europe for more competitions, meaning he has less opportunities to earn points and rank higher.

The 51-year-old, who last season won player of the year within his team, is now looking for sponsors to help him travel to competitions more regularly.

If you would like to sponsor Michael, you can get in touch with him via email, mikeaustin72@googlemail.com.