ROCK AIMS TO “PUSH ON” AT TARGET
22/01/2025 By Phil Lanning
By Phil Lanning
JOSH ROCK vowed it’s now a “young man’s game” as he bids to emulate Luke Littler’s path to titles.
The Northern Irishman has linked-up with the teen sensation at top darts firm Target.
Rocky was the hottest young prospect in the world before The Nuke came along, famously hitting a nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam.
But Rock, 23, is adamant that he can now go up a level in the sport.
He said: “I totally admire what Luke (Littler) has done at such a young age. It just shows it’s a young man’s game.
“I’m not ruling any of the old boys out, they can still throw, they’re still in the top 10 in the world for a reason. It just shows the level where darts is now, it’s become a young man’s game.
“I think I really need to kick on now. Now I’m with Target I believe I can push on to better levels, especially with TV performances.”
Rock joins the likes of Littler, Rob Cross, Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld in the Target stable.
He added: “I’m massively boosted by it, I know it’s been coming a long time.
“I think maybe that’s why I’ve not been performing because I’ve wanted to use the new darts which I’ve been practising with.
“I’ve never fell in love with a set of darts in my life until now.
“You can tell the difference being in a big team. Target support all their players. The bosses Garry (Plummer) is always there and James (Tattersall) when it comes to the majors. That’s when you need the support.
“Since a young age I’ve always know Target were about. They had Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld in their team. They were the big names at the time. I always said I would love to be part of Target and now I’m getting that opportunity.
“I’ve noticed with these new darts, the way I’ve been throwing and I think I’m going to have a good year.
“All my set-up is different. But I’ve got an entire big team behind me. Not only Target but with Rob Cross, Scott Williams and John O’Shea in our R and K Darts management stable.”
