Jesica Ackermann is the number one women’s darts player in South Africa.
The Newlands player claimed the top spot after winning the Darts South Africa Women’s Singles title at the SA National Championships. The competition was hosted by Darts South Africa at the Mangaung Indoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein earlier in July. The 24 year old also won gold as part of the Gauteng provincial women’s team for a second consecutive year.
Jesica started playing darts at the age of 13, in the House League with her father Johan and family. The league is social and players have a chance to enjoy their favourite game in a less intense environment. From there she joined Central Johannesburg Club where her talent and skills saw her being chosen as part of the Gauteng team.
“It feels really great to be recognised for all my hard work and dedication. I would like to thank God as well as my parents and grandparents, who have been my biggest fans from day one.
In order to win the Singles title I had to beat four Protea players and that is no easy feat. So winning felt really good,” she said.
Taking inspiration from darts player Madeleine Bester and Protea team manager Annemarie Maraz, Jesica aims to become not only the best in the country – she wants to be best in the world.
“Meeting new people and competing with the best players is what motivates me to improve as a player. The sport has also helped me in mathematics as I multiply and subtract scores in a flash – that makes it a sport I recommend wholeheartedly. Representing my province has been a highlight for me but winning the Singles title in Bloemfontein is the ultimate achievement,” she said.
The national competition, which was held in the City of Roses this year, is hosted in a different South African city every year. Last year it was held in the south of Johannesburg and Jesica has fond memories of fun times at the competition.
“I was staying in a three-storey house. Next door were my dad and friends, also in a three-storey house, so instead of visiting like a normal person, I jumped from one balcony to the other. My dad was so surprised. That was really naughty,” she laughs.
Jesica may have become a national champion but her goals do not stop there. She now plans to break into the national team and represent South Africa at the World Cup. She will get a chance to impress the national selectors when she participates in the Winmau Masters and Lakeside International Playoffs in England in November.
