“I will always be Mitchell Lawrie” - Scotland’s teen darts sensation determined to escape Luke Littler comparisons

Mitchell Lawrie and Owen Bryceland are already names worth knowing for anyone following the next wave of darts talent. The two young Scots have become two of the most exciting prospects in the international youth scene, with Lawrie already reaching the final of the WDF World Championship at Lakeside and Bryceland building his own reputation through the junior ranks.

Scottish darts has not exactly lacked major figures over the years, with Gary Anderson and Peter Wright both lifting world titles. Lawrie and Bryceland are not at that level yet, but they are part of a new generation now trying to follow the same road towards the biggest stages in the sport.

For now, they are better known by two very different nicknames. Lawrie goes by ‘Wee Sox’, while Bryceland is known as ‘The Bandit’. Speaking to Bang on Target, both explained where those names came from. “My parents just thought of it a few years ago and we thought it suited me – so we went with it,” Bryceland said.

For Lawrie, the nickname goes back to his family. “It came from my grampa Dougie when I was little, and it’s always stuck, and full family call me it now.”

Bryceland’s route into darts began at an age when most children are still nowhere near a dartboard. “I’ve loved darts from a very young age and was glued to the telly whenever it was on,” he recalled. “My parents got me a soft-tip board when I was around 18 months old, and I would chuck darts at it. Then, six months later, I started using real darts under supervision, flinging them onto a board. As I got older, I gradually moved further away from the board.”

That early start quickly turned into competition. “That continued for years, and my parents told me I would play all the time. I then asked if I could try competitions, so they took me along, not expecting much. But by about my third one, when I was eight years old, I got to a final.

“Shortly after that, I played my first SDA youth competition and won it. A year later, I won the Scottish Open Youth, and it has continued on like that to where I am now.”

Lawrie’s first steps also came through family, and through one of Scotland’s most recognisable darts events. “From 2-years old when the Scottish Open came to my hometown in Renfrew my Grampa Dougie always took over to watch it and it all started from there,” he said.

Like many young players, both Lawrie and Bryceland grew up watching the biggest names in the sport. For Bryceland, one meeting with Michael van Gerwen left a clear impression. “At 8-years old, I got to play with Michael van Gerwen who is my hero. But I love Ando [Gary Anderson] as well.”

Lawrie’s answer was even more direct. Asked who his hero was, he replied simply: “Gary Anderson.”

The same contrast appeared when the two were asked where they hope to be in ten years. Bryceland’s answer was ambitious but measured. “I want to hopefully turn pro in years to come but still got a long way to go. But I’m doing really well playing in the advanced tour and JPL.”

Lawrie, meanwhile, went straight for the biggest target available. “Hopefully World Champion.”

Because of his age and profile, Lawrie has already faced comparisons with Luke Littler, whose rise has changed expectations around teenage players in the sport. Lawrie, though, is not interested in being framed as anyone else’s follow-up act. “I’ve always said many of times I just want my own identity. Luke has been great for darts, but I will always be Mitchell Lawrie.”

Lawrie turns sixteen in November and will be eligible to play on the PDC Development Tour from 2027, giving him a clearer route into the professional system. Bryceland, still younger, is focused for now on continuing his progress through youth competition. “Hopefully I will stay doing the advanced tour and keep playing for Scotland in the JDC and SDA,” Bryceland said.

Both players are also well aware that they are not the only young names coming through. Asked which other under-16 players could go on to reach the top, Bryceland kept it brief. “Too many to mention.”

Lawrie gave a similar verdict after seeing the level first-hand. “There are so many talented young players within the sport now coming through especially the ones I’ve played against in the Advanced Tour, so I would say any of them really.”

For Scotland, though, Lawrie and Bryceland already stand out. One has a Lakeside final behind him before his Development Tour career has even begun, while the other has been winning youth titles since primary-school age. If their progress continues, ‘Wee Sox’ and ‘The Bandit’ may become far more familiar names over the next few years.