"That call changed my life"- Owen Binks describes sudden career change to become full-time referee

Owen Binks is one of the regular referees at the MODUS Super Series. The 27-year-old Englishman also acts as a spotter at major darts tournaments.

According to Binks, it was a phone call from tournament organizer MODUS Super Series that changed everything.

"They asked me 'can you leave your job and be a full-time referee for us?' and I was like 'yes, absolutely' - so I quit my job on the spot," he explained as per BBC. "I knew that's what I wanted to do and I've been living my dream ever since.

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"I've got a lot to thank them for because that call changed my life."

Binks said that office jobs were incompatible with his ADHD, but that the "hyper-concentrated" environment of darts was the perfect remedy. In addition to his work as a referee, he also acted as a spotter (person who has to indicate to the camera people which box the players are going to throw to).

Owen Binks during his work as a spotter

"I've always been good at mental maths, but you need darts maths to be an expert in this field," said Binks. "A lot of it is knowing the patterns, although you have to be on your toes for someone like Luke Littler who sprays around the board."

ADHD

Binks says he owed the quick head count to his ADHD. Without this condition, he says he would not have a job.

"When I was growing up I was always in trouble at school, being the class clown and getting sent out. t really helps when you have a hyper-focus on the thing you love. For me that's darts numbers - how random is that?

"Maybe it does help becoming obsessed with that and knowing my game to the best I can."

"It's such a privilege to be up on stage as there's no better crowds than the crowds at Ally Pally," he added.

"The best thing is I get the best seat in the house to watch the best players in the world do the most amazing things."

Finally, does Binks now consider darts a sport or a glorified pub game? "It's definitely a sport," he bit back. "It's the greatest sport on earth."

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