"Women aren’t there to make the numbers up" - Inspired by Luke Humphries, Gemma Hayter readies herself for PDC World Darts Championship debut

Gemma Hayter’s darting resurgence has been one of the quiet success stories of the 2025 season — a comeback built on belief, graft, and a touch of inspiration from the man currently sitting atop the world rankings.

A talented youth player once competing at County level alongside Luke Humphries, Hayter stepped away from the oche for several years after feeling the women’s game lacked opportunity. Now, just 18 months after returning, the Portsmouth thrower has qualified for the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time.

“I took time out as I didn’t feel there was a lot out there for the women,” Hayter explained in conversation with Darts World, following confirmation of her Ally Pally qualification. “Seeing Luke Humphries win the World title in 2024, it inspired me to come back. Seeing someone you know do so well and fulfilling their dream was really inspiring. My sponsors and management have been great in getting me to where I am too, and I’ve gone from strength to strength.”

Since returning to the sport at the start of 2024, Hayter has made rapid strides. Two PDC Women’s Series titles last year led to a debut at the Women’s World Matchplay, and she’s now gone one better — booking her place at Alexandra Palace after finishing fifth on the 2025 Women’s Series Order of Merit.

“It hasn’t sunken in yet!” she admitted. “I didn’t get back home from Wigan until 11pm last night, and I was up for work at 5am so I haven’t had chance to process it all yet. It’s huge for me. I only started playing again last January, so it’s been a real rollercoaster. It’s the biggest achievement I’ve had. It’s massive.”

A run to the Event 23 final proved decisive in confirming her spot. With Beau Greaves and Lisa Ashton already qualified through other routes, Hayter’s results lifted her clear of her closest challenger, Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen.

“I was confident coming into it after winning in Selsey and playing well,” she said. “I felt pressure there as people were expecting me to do well having done well on the Women’s Series, but it was nice to win those titles and have that extra boost going into Wigan.”

Hayter’s place was far from guaranteed. She entered the final weekend of Women’s Series events knowing Viinikainen was within £500 of her position, all while managing a recurring shoulder injury.

“I knew what was needed. There was talk at the last block of events that there may be an extra place. I felt under a little extra pressure going into the final weekend. Kirsii was only £500 behind me in the last spot going into it, so I knew I had to keep ahead of her. But by Saturday, I was only £300 behind Noa-Lynn in third place, so I felt a lot more relaxed.”

“Getting to the final against Beau was huge for me in securing the Worlds. I have a shoulder injury that flares up every now and then, and it reared its ugly head on the Sunday, so that was difficult to deal with, but we got there.”

That run capped a strong stretch of form which also saw Hayter win her first two WDF titles at the English Masters and English Classic — results that showcased her ability to thrive across different circuits and formats.

While her World Championship debut will be a new experience, Hayter already knows what it’s like to play under pressure on a televised stage. Her performance at the Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool turned heads, as she came from 3–0 down against Fallon Sherrock to force a deciding leg, missing a dart to win before losing 4–3.

“We had a media day the day before the Matchplay, and because we don’t usually do many of those, I left feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she said. “Seeing the venue too and playing area was daunting, but on the day of the Matchplay itself I was waiting for the nerves to come, and they just didn’t. In the end I was pleased with coming from 3-0 down and showing what I can do.”

That resilience, and the composure she showed on the Winter Gardens stage, will stand her in good stead when the lights shine even brighter at Ally Pally. “Playing in front of a crowd, under the lights and on a stage is big. Doing that in Blackpool should help me.”

For all the focus on preparation, there’s still a touch of disbelief about what lies ahead. “I’ve never been there!” she laughed. “I’d like to go and soak up the atmosphere before I play would be good. Just to think about being there is mind-blowing.”

“It would be interesting if I draw one of the big players. It would also be funny if I drew Adam Lipscombe if he qualifies as we are really good friends!”

The magnitude of walking out on the Ally Pally stage, surrounded by the sport’s biggest names, isn’t lost on her — nor is the wider importance of what her appearance represents. “I’ll be really proud to be there. I just want everything to go well, and I want to play well. We want to show that women aren’t there to make the numbers up and we can play well. It’s a chance to show that there is a pathway for women if they want to play at the highest level. The Littler-effect has been massive for the boys, but not so huge for the girls, so it’s important that we show we can play.”

Backed by MODUS management and supported by sponsors, Hayter’s progress reflects a growing professionalism in the women’s game. She’s already a visible figure in promoting women’s participation — and now she has the platform to inspire more.

From watching her friend Luke Humphries lift the Sid Waddell Trophy to earning her own shot at the iconic stage, Hayter’s rise is a reminder that persistence pays off. “I’m very proud to be one of five women in the tournament.”