Nicole Regnaud has quickly become one of the most promising names in women’s darts, achieving major milestones and competing on some of the biggest stages.
The New Zealander has already accomplished a lot in her career, and her trajectory suggests there’s even more success to come.
Hailing from New Zealand, a country with a proud sporting tradition, Regnaud has already made a name for herself in the darting world. With 17 tournament victories to her name, including the New Zealand Masters, Canterbury Open, and Auckland Open, she has solidified her status as one of the best in her region.
Currently ranked fifth in the WDF, Regnaud has aspirations of climbing even higher. Her talent and dedication make her one of the brightest prospects in the sport, and the future looks promising for the Kiwi darting star.
Speaking to The New Zealand Herald, Regnaud was asked if she considers herself one of the world’s top players. Her response was humble and reflective of her grounded nature.
"Short answer, no."
She elaborated on how challenging it is to view herself among the world’s elite, particularly coming from New Zealand.
"Being from New Zealand with tall poppies, it's hard to base yourself around that number.It's an incredible privilege to be ranked that high. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears have gone in to chase the wins.To be viewed in the top five is incredible, but we will keep aiming higher."
Regnaud has ambitions of competing in the PDC Women's Series in the UK but acknowledges the challenges that come with such a commitment.
"I love watching those ladies in their element; it would be a dream, but it's not that easy.""I would love to drop everything and play in those tournaments, but they're once a month, and leaving everything behind to chase a dream is tough."
Despite these difficulties, she remains passionate about the game and hopes to inspire more women and young players in New Zealand to pursue a career in darts.
"Being able to attend international events just makes you more passionate and do more in the game, and I hope the women and kids here can see the pathway there and follow."
Regnaud also spoke highly of Beau Greaves, one of the biggest names in women’s darts, praising her humility and skill.
"She's very humble and down to earth; she's bubbly and just wants to be nice.""She knocked me out of a tournament with a 100 average, and she doesn't realise how good she is. The level she can play and make it look easy is incredible."
Legendary darts player Paul Lim also shared some advice with Regnaud at a recent tournament, which she greatly appreciated.
"He was nice. He came over, gave me a shake-up, and told me not to dwell on it.I am so thankful I just got on with it and asked for a photo. It was one of my favourite moments."
Nicole Regnaud’s dedication, talent, and humility make her a standout figure in women’s darts. With her sights set on greater achievements, it will be fascinating to see how she continues to develop and impact the sport in the coming years.
NEW SHOT PLAYER! We're thrilled to announce Aotearoa's #1 female player, Nicole Regnaud has signed with Shot and joined our global player team. Nicole was a Shot Young Gun for many years as a teenager; her journey from a Young Gun to the top women's spot in NZ is an inspiring… pic.twitter.com/eRnMPYVayk
— Shot Darts (@Shot_Darts) January 31, 2025