Unicorn Darts have made another big investment in the future of darts – clinching the double signing of two of the sport’s hottest properties. 14-year-old Kimberley Lewis becomes the first member of Unicorn’s Generation 180 category and she celebrated in style – by being crowned World Masters Girls Champion. And talented youngster Kirk Shepherd – a former World Masters Youth Champion – has signed for Team Unicorn Global. Unicorn is determined to support the stars of the future, as well as the more established big names in the world of darts…..the signings of Lewis and Shepherd are testimony to that. Kimberley, from Newport in South Wales, has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months – and she has only just turned 14! Just days after the Unicorn sponsorship was secured, she swept aside the opposition in Bridlington to add the title ‘World Master’ to an already very impressive darting CV. The talented teenager sailed through her group, then beat Germany’s Benita Gobel 4 legs to 3 in the semi-finals and Thea Kaaijk from Holland 4-2 in the final. She has also been crowned Europe Youth Champion in 2006 – winning that tournament in Germany. Generation 180 is tailored for 10-18 year-old darts stars and of course there are the likes of Taylor, Lowe, Lloyd, Manley, Painter, Lewis and Wade on the books but Unicorn believes strongly in backing the stars of tomorrow. Shepherd was named BDO Best Young Player of the Year in both 2005 and 2006 but he is now set to switch to the Professional Darts Corporation, as he aims to build a darting career…..and the sponsorship from Unicorn will go some way to helping him to achieve his goals. The 20-year-old from Ramsgate has been playing since he was 12 and already has many titles under his belt. Apart from his success in the World Masters, he has won the British Teenage Open twice and is an England Youth International. He has also achieved 3rd place in the British Grand Prix points table behind Gary Anderson and Mike Veitch. He is certainly a name to watch out for in 2007, as he prepares to cut his teeth in the PDC and expect him to claim some notable scalps as he chases his darting dream. BY STUART PYKE Our picture shows Kirk Shepherd being welcomes to Team Unicorn by production director Alex Ross.
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