Darts star Cameron Menzies has quit his day job to focus on sport.
Darts world No. 36 Cameron Menzies confirmed that he has quit his day job as a plumber to prioritise his sporting career. He opened up about the change and training with his girlfriend, Fallon Sherrock, who “battered” him in practice sessions. The 35-year-old resigned from his position last month and now works full-time as a darts star.
Very few players of Menzies’ ability and standing in the game have second jobs, instead opting to prioritise training and improving their game at the oche. But the Scot would often work on the mornings of matches and then travel to events.
He famously did so at the World Championship, going viral for his success at Alexandra Palace before returning to work the next day and being brought back down to earth.
But Menzies will try his hand solely at darts at least for the next two years, telling Sky Sports: “I was only working one day here and there and it just kind of got to the point where I had to make a decision. I think I’ve made the best choice.
I was doing the darts, travelling, and trying to squeeze in a job. I felt this is the best chance for me to do it and there’s no pressure this year because I’m in a lot of the big tournaments.
“Next year is when I’ll be more used to not working, but if it doesn’t work out I’m sure I can go back to plumbing.”
Menzies has also opened up on getting “battered” by his partner, Sherrock. Dubbed the ‘Queen of the Palace’, Menzies credited her with improving his game after gruelling sessions behind the scenes.
Sherrock became the first woman to beat a man at the World Championship in 2020 and has since won 19 Women’s Series titles and the 2022 Women’s World Matchplay.
“She’s been a massive help,” Menzies added. “As soon as we started kind of dating my darts did take an extra step up because we used to practise a lot.
“Especially at first when I stayed in Scotland and we used to do Zoom calls. Some nights we’d play for two or three hours.
Quite often she batters me so it’s good for me to practise against her because she’s a very good player and it has obviously helped my game.”
Menzies has enjoyed a successful few months and looks set to make his World Matchplay debut in Blackpool later this summer. He wants to emulate Scottish greats such as Jocky Wilson, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright.
He claimed his second Players Championship title in April, a few months after his first, and finished runner-up in two Players Championship events this year. Now that his attention is solely on darts, Menzies will hope to improve further.