N.S. teen earns right to represent Canada at world junior dart championships
Nova Scotia native Emily Alford is one of four teens that have been selected to represent Team Canada at the Junior Darts Corporation World Championship next month in Spain.
"We have a great team going and I can't wait to be able to wear the Canadian flag again. It's a huge honour to able to wear the flag and go oversees to represent everybody here," said Emily.
The 16-year-old played in two qualifying events this past weekend in Ontario to earn a spot on the team.
"Starting at the beginning of the weekend, I wasn't shooting too well, so I was very nervous going into the rest of the weekend," said Emily. "But, I tried my best and had some fun and I pulled through in the end."
The Junior Darts Corporation World Championship will take place from Nov. 23 to 26.
"She never stops amazing me," said Krista Alford, Emily's mother. "Seeing her on big stages in her own country and then in foreign countries is pretty amazing."
Darts are a family affair for the Alfords, and Emily is no stranger to the spotlight. She has already taken home a number of awards.
"In 2019, I became, at the Nationals, I became the junior female singles champion, which unfortunately we haven't been able to have the Nationals again, so technically, I am still the reigning junior girls champion although I have aged out now," said Emily.
One of the highlights of Emily's young dart career is meeting 10-time ladies world champion Trina Gulliver.
"Getting to learn from her and the other ladies of that calibre has been one of the most amazing things that I have gotten to do, 'cause getting to see how they play and how they practice and getting tips, it definitely changes your game," said Emily.
Now in her senior year of high school, Emily plans to pursue a career. Right now, the teen is busy juggling homework and practicing darts as she prepares to hit the world stage.
"It's really cool to be able to go and be one of the only girls competing in the competition," she said.
Fundraisers are now underway to help offset the costs of the competition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.