Owen Binks isn’t just a PDC referee, he’s a jack of all trades, working both on-stage and behind the scenes spotting for broadcasts. His career? It’s just kicking off, and the guy is absolutely pumped for what’s next. He’s taking on more and more crucial roles, even stepping into the gigantic shoes left by a legend.
The Kid Who Loved Numbers More Than Darts
Most kids who get into darts dream of hitting that perfect 9-darter themselves, right? Not Owen Binks. He picked up the sport around age 10 or 11 watching the PDC World Championship, but his fascination was less about the bulls and more about the brains. “I was a bit of an odd child,” Binks told The Sporting News, “I’d be more interested in the numbers side of it, and I’d be sitting there trying to call out the scores quicker than the ref, and learn the patterns.” Forget playing, Binks always wanted to be the one calling the shots, literally. “I played a little bit, but I wanted to be a ref more for some reason…I was never really good, and it never crossed my mind that I wanted to be a player,” he said. Talk about a unique path to the big leagues!
Stepping Onto The Oche With A Legend’s Legacy
That dream started to become a reality at just 17. Binks hit up fellow PDC referee Kirk Bevins for advice, who then pointed him toward “marking,” which is basically keeping score next to the ref. From there, it was a steady climb: Challenge Tour, Pro Tour, marking for TV games, and then BOOM. Binks eventually took over from the recently retired George Noble, grabbing more on-stage refereeing gigs for the PDC. Noble is basically royalty in the darts world, and Binks isn’t shy about his admiration. “He’s [George Noble] the greatest referee of all time, in my opinion. I looked up to him,” Binks shared. But stepping into that role isn’t for the faint of heart. “When I go into the World Championship, there will be a lot of pressure, for sure. I’ll be nervous. You can never replace George, but I want to be different from George…big shoes to fill certainly…of course there’s pressure; if you make a mistake, everyone in the world can see it,” Binks admitted. He’s got huge respect for all the refs, calling out legends like Russ Bray and even Paul Hinks, but it’s Noble’s legacy that truly sets the stage for him.
The Unsung Hero of The Broadcast
While we see Binks front and center with the players, he’s also pulling serious weight behind the scenes. He does a ton of “spotting” for broadcasts at tournaments, which is way more crucial than you might think. What’s a spotter do? Binks explained it: “He’s basically the person who tells the director where the players are going to throw.” Think about that. He’s the guy making sure the cameras catch every single dart, playing a “massive role” in the awesome coverage we get every time we tune in. This guy truly lives and breathes darts, inside and out.
So, as Owen Binks gears up for the World Championship, the pressure is on, but his unique journey and deep understanding of the game make him one to watch. He’s not just a ref; he’s an integral part of the show, carrying on a legendary tradition while forging his own path. Get ready to see him shine.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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