“I don’t want to ask… I want to find out for myself” – Josh Rock’s fearless approach to Premier League Darts debut

For most players, a Premier League Darts debut comes with a checklist. Ask the veterans what to expect. Prepare for the grind. Manage the pressure. Learn from those who have already been through the 17-week test. Josh Rock is doing none of that.

The Northern Irishman arrives at his first Premier League campaign not looking for guidance, reassurance or shortcuts. Instead, he is deliberately stepping into the unknown, trusting his own instincts and allowing the experience to teach him as it unfolds.

The Northern Irishman arrives at his first Premier League campaign not looking for guidance, reassurance or shortcuts. Instead, he is deliberately stepping into the unknown, trusting his own instincts and allowing the experience to teach him as it unfolds. “No. I don’t want to ask that question. I want to find out for myself,” he says in his pre-Premier League Darts press conference.

That line sums up Rock’s entire mindset ahead of the weekly Thursday night battles he's set to face.

“It’s still hard to believe, to be honest. It’s a dream come true. As a young kid you dream of playing in the Premier League all your life. I’m enjoying every minute of it. Days like today make it feel real, sitting here with the elite of the sport and doing all the media that comes with it.”

The call that confirmed his place in the lineup came as a genuine shock, even to him. “I kept saying all year that I didn’t think I was going to be in it. Then the phone call came from Alan, and it was just a dream come true and a shock at the same time.”

Despite that surprise, Rock has no doubts that his game is suited to the demands of this competition, something Wayne Mardle recently pointed out in his analysis. “Yeah. When Mardle said that, I agreed with him straight away.”

The Premier League has a reputation. It can elevate careers. It can also derail them. Rock is not entertaining either narrative. “It’s on my CV for life that I’ve played in the Premier League. I don’t think it’s going to break me regardless. I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”

Nerves, he says, are not really part of the equation either. “I wouldn’t say nervous. I’m just really excited because I know it’s tomorrow night and I’m on first. I’m really looking forward to it.”

In fact, Rock sees being scheduled in the opening match as a practical advantage rather than added pressure. “I’m actually happy I’m on first because I know exactly when I’m playing. If you’re second or third, games can run over, and it puts you off time a bit. This way I know how to prepare.”

That same practicality shapes how he views the long road ahead, knowing that one night will not define his campaign. “I’ll find out tomorrow night how it’s going to start. But if I don’t perform the way I can, there are still another 15 weeks minimum after that. I just have to try my best.”

One of the most emotional nights of Rock’s campaign will come when the Premier League visits Belfast. A city where, not so long ago, he was simply another face in the crowd. “I’d probably say emotional. I think I’ll be okay until I’m at the top of the stairs. But once the walk on starts for Belfast, I think it’s going to hit me.”

His memories of attending the event before his breakthrough years remain vivid. “I went three years in a row. The first time was when I’d just won my tour card and nobody knew me. The next times I was there collecting awards and even doing a bit of punditry. Now I’ll be there as a player, which is special.”

Rock has also already picked out another venue he is particularly looking forward to. “Antwerp. The Premier League hasn’t been there before. The Belgian fans are fantastic. There’s no whistling or booing; they just come to watch darts. It’s like the Matchplay crowd.”

Opening night brings a meeting with Jonny Clayton, a draw Rock is comfortable with. “He’s an experienced player, he’s played in the Premier League before. Hopefully, he’s a little bit rusty. That would be nice.”

While history shows that debut wins are possible, Rock is careful not to get ahead of himself. “Yeah, it can happen. It’s happened before, so hopefully I can do the same.”

For Rock, this Premier League campaign is not something to be managed or overthought. It is something to be experienced as it comes.

By finding out for himself.