Jamie Caven – exclusive interview

I’m really chuffed to be able to bring you, my darts crazy visitors, another exclusive player interview.   This time up to the virtual oche is one of the most exciting prospects currently on the pro tour – Jamie ‘Jabba’ Caven.  If you are a newish darts fan (or only watch the Premier League) you may have not seen Jamie play.  If, like me, you watch every scrap of PDC darts you can find, and follow the non-televised floor tournaments, you’ll know that Jabba is one of THE consistent players around at the moment, and 2010 has started well.  Jamie has overcome a few hurdles to become a real one to watch, so expect to see Jamie play on your TV screens very soon!

Q.  When did you take up darts, and when did you realise you wanted to be a professional darts player?

I started playing from a very young age, I think I had my first child version of the game aged about 3 years old. I wanted to be a pro from the very beginning.

Q. Darts’s popularity is really growing at the moment, but the number of pubs with darts boards doesn’t seem to be doing the same.  How would you advise any budding youngsters to take up the game?

Darts is one of the cheapest sports to get involved with. You can get a board and a decent set of darts for around £30, and once it is set up you are ready to go. You don’t need to go to a pub (especially as a youngster)

Q. (Other players) how do you get on with your fellow professionals – who would you count as your best mates in the game?

I get on with everyone. I would say my best mates on the tour are Colin Osborne and Andy Hamilton, as we travel together a fair bit and practise on the morning of a pro tour event.

Q. Would you say you’re more a ‘floor player’, or do you enjoy yourself more in front of the TV cameras at the big tournaments.

To be honest, my best performances have been on the floor. Although I thoroughly enjoy being part of the big time set up on TV. I hope to enhance my performance on the screen this year.

Q. From the results I’ve seen so far this year, things seem to be going well for you, pretty consistent late round achievements in the floor tournaments.  How do you think it’s going for you, and what targets have you set yourself for this year (and onwards?)

This year as started pretty well and it is paramount to do that when you are outside of the top 16. My targets for this year have to be as I say to enhance my game on TV.

Q. We hear about players practicing 18 hours a day, 365 days a year (OK maybe that’s just what Sid says about Taylor);  How much practice do you feel helps your game?

I tend to do as much as I think I need to (generally around 3-4 hours a day) and focus mainly on the part of my game that needs the most attention.

Q. What’s your view on the current state of the sport of darts and where the PDC has brought it?

We are in a darts boom at the moment, especially in Britain. It is rapidly growing again in Europe too, especially in Germany. I believe apart from football, darts is probably the next most popular sport right now. Hopefully this will continue to grow and the PDC and Barry Hearn must take the credit for this.

Q. (and) Where do you see it in 10 years time?  Can it keep growing?

I think it will continue to grow, and the attendance figures in the premier league alone are justification that it probably will do.

Q. What would you say is the highlight of your playing career to date?

My career highlight to date has to be the whole of 2009, only my second year as a professional, I was the only player outside of the top 32 to qualify for all the major ranked events, as well as winning two pro tour events.

Q. I see you post on the same Superstars of darts forum as me, and were very keen to do this interview – so is it fair to say keeping in touch with the fans means a lot to you?

Of course it does. It’s always good to interact with fans and that’s what makes darts so special, it’s the only sport where the fans and players interact in this way.

Q.  We hear on the premier league every week about Barney struggling to come to terms with his (newly discovered) diabetes – which is obviously something you’ve dealt with for some time now.  Have you been able to offer him any advice about being a darts pro with the condition and any lifestyle changes he should be looking to make?  Do you think it’s held you back from what you want to achieve in darts?

I have spoken with Raymond on a few occaisions about it as it is sometimes hard to control, especially with some venues being very hot with the lights etc, this drains your sugar levels at times. Also some pro tour events go on all day so this also has an effect. I don’t think it has held me back as such because I am more used to it after so long with the condition (14 years). Barney will no doubt get used to the condition and be able to do what he needs to in order to keep his levels on track during difficult times.

Q. With the recent news of the PDC setting up a ‘world cup of darts’ style tournament – how much would it mean to you, to get into the ‘England team’?

There is no bigger honour than representing your country in your sport or chosen profession. But realistically I wouldn’t expect to be selected at present as we have the likes of Taylor, Wade, King and Lewis way ahead of the pecking order at the moment.   (Maybe so, but Krispy thinks this will change in a couple of years to come!)

Q.  What do you think of the premier league and its huge rowdy crowds – too rowdy and intimidating, or would you love to join the weekly madness?

I think every player would love to be part of it. The crowds are generally noisy in every TV event so it makes no difference. If you play on TV you will experience the noise, but thats part of our beautiful game and so yes I would love to be a part of the ‘weekly madness’

Q.  How do spend time relaxing when not playing or practising?

I love to spend time with my kids and around my family. I like to go for a meal with my wife and I like to go for a pint with the lads.

Thanks again to Jamie for taking some time just after returning from Crawley to answer my questions.  Some cracking answers, and it’s quite obvious that darts comes before football when the brains are handed out

Jamie’s personal website can be found here,  and he can often be found posting (along with other pro players) on the Superstars of Darts forum (that’s a great place to get ‘live’ match reports from the weekend events). Jamie is also one of the ‘Team Unicorn Contenders‘

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