Stephen Bunting

“The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit”. Ken Doherty

The college community was delighted to catch up with former student Stephen Bunting following his recent victory at the 2024 Cazoo Masters.

What are your memories of attending Archbishop Beck?

I loved my time at the college, the teachers were always very helpful and supportive. I mostly enjoyed English with Mrs Monaghan, she always had a story to tell and took a keen interest in my darts career at that time.

When and why did you take up darts?

I started playing when I was 6 years old, practising at home and playing against my dad who played to a decent standard. I moved into the senior side of the game when I was 11 or 12. I always enjoyed watching the professionals on TV, playing on the big stages in front of enthusiastic crowds and began to see it a potential career so I really began to work hard on my game to make it a reality.

What advice would you give someone looking to take up the sport?

It’s an easy sport to start playing, get a dart board and some darts and practice as much as you can. The more you play the better you will become. There are a few local academies now in Liverpool and St Helens, they are working hard to help bring the next generation to the game. The game is really popular at the moment with lots
of money to be won so it’s a good job to have.

How often do you have to train?

I train pretty much every day for 2-3 hours, I’m a firm believer in ‘practise makes perfect’.

Having recently been crowned Masters Champion what else do you hope to achieve in darts?

I’ve been world champion and world number 1 during my BDO days but I’d love to be the PDC world champion and world number 1 as well, winning several majors along the way!

Finally, what book are you currently reading?

I enjoy reading sports books and autobiographies. I’m currently reading Eddie Hearn’s Relentless, I’m really enjoying it and would highly recommend it.

Bullseye!

Thankyou Stephen, for sharing your story and showing that winning is the result of a great deal of hard work and having a great spirit to carry it through to completion.

We wish you even more success in the future.

Stephen Bunting Success!

Stephen Bunting defeated Alan Norris 7-4 to be crowned the BDO World Darts champion at Lakeside on Sunday night. It was Bunting’s first world title and he could barely express his joy as tears rolled down his face.

“This is my eighth time at the Lakeside. The crowd has been fantastic. Thanks to everyone who has supported me,” he said.

The match had been evenly poised at 3-3 before Bunting moved 6-3 ahead. Norris claimed the 10th set in a brief comeback but it was quickly halted by the 28-year-old from Liverpool who took the next to claim the victory.

Norris, 41, who saw off Dutchman Jan Dekker 6-5 in the semi-finals, was ahead only after the opening set before Bunting took the next two to move into the lead.

Norris kept within touching distance, though, and levelled the contest at 3-3 before Bunting, known as “the Bullet” showed class to move three sets clear and put one hand on the trophy.