Lee Huxtable, a name not widely recognized outside the niche world of darts, is making significant waves within the sport. As the head of development for Red Dragon Darts, he is the mastermind behind the darts used by some of the world’s top players, including Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries. With a roster of world champions to his credit, Huxtable’s work is an essential part of competitive darts, a sport that is currently in its third golden age, thanks in large part to rising talents such as 17-year-old Luke Littler.
In March 2025, Luke Humphries clinched the title of Premier League Darts champion at the renowned O2 venue in London, wielding darts crafted by Huxtable. Gerwyn Price, another influential player, also benefited from Huxtable’s engineering prowess during the tournament, showcasing the pivotal role Huxtable plays in the sport’s elite. However, one significant name eludes his list of clients—current world champion Luke Littler, who has chosen to go with a competitor’s darts.
Huxtable’s journey in the dart-making industry is remarkable. Based in Bridgend, he has collaborated with various players to fine-tune their equipment. He recalls the time spent designing darts for Peter “Snakebite” Wright, pointing out that their collaboration involved numerous prototypes. “We would go through hundreds of concepts,” Huxtable shared. His commitment to creating elite darts led to innovations such as a diamond-coated dart that required 18 months of meticulous development, culminating in a world title win for Wright.
The engineering behind darts is no trivial matter. Within Huxtable’s technical framework, he has designed specific darts that cater to individual player needs and preferences. He takes pride in the fact that sometimes a breakthrough can happen in an instant; other times, it may take years of refinement and testing. Huxtable emphasizes the profound impact the right equipment can have, transitioning players from the top 32 ranks to the coveted top 16 and beyond.
Jonny Clayton, another notable player who has benefited from Huxtable’s designs, experienced a substantial leap in performance after switching to Huxtable’s darts. “His game changed overnight,” Huxtable remarked, emphasizing the transformative nature of tailored gear in the sport.
Huxtable also works with Gerwyn Price, who has shown extraordinary focus and dedication to improving his game. Once a casual rugby player, Price has admitted he was never satisfied with merely being in the top 32; his ambition drove him to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Huxtable’s role in refining Price’s darts underscores an essential element of successful equipment design—the ability to adapt to the player’s evolving game.
In terms of production, Huxtable’s role doesn’t solely take place in the UK. He coordinates some aspects of manufacturing at the company’s facility in Kenya, where the mass production of darts and dartboards takes place, tapping into local resources to maintain quality while keeping costs manageable. This operation produces a staggering 30,000 sets of darts and 20,000 dartboards weekly.
Technology is central to Huxtable’s vision for performance enhancement. One of his recent innovations involved fusing different tungsten weights in a single dart, thereby optimizing the balance and giving players more control. “The concept was to create front-weighted darts without making them bulkier,” he explained.
The popularity of darts has surged, particularly with young players like Luke Littler, who won the world championship at only 17 years old. More than three million viewers tuned in for his victory, illustrating the sport’s expanding audience. The involvement of youthful talent is not merely a trend; it signals a future rich with possibilities for the game. Huxtable believes that with increasing engagement and prize money, darts will draw in even more young players, setting a high standard for the next generation.
Huxtable’s commitment to his craft, coupled with aspirations to elevate the sport, is evident in every dart he designs. While the world may not yet know his name, within the realms of darts and sports engineering, he is a quiet giant contributing significantly to the rich tapestry of competitive darts. His work demonstrates a profound understanding of the intersection of technology, precision, and athletic performance, making him an undeniable force in a sport that is rapidly evolving and growing in popularity.
As the landscape of darts continues to change, driven by young sensations and seasoned champions, Huxtable’s innovative dart designs will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the game. Whether it’s the fine-tuned specifications of a dart or the collaboration and creativity that go into its creation, Huxtable’s contributions ensure that darts players remain competitive at the highest levels. Furthermore, his role highlights the importance of understanding each player’s unique requirements and challenges, allowing for tailor-made solutions that can elevate performance and, ultimately, the sport itself.
With the findings from Mr. Huxtable’s journey, it’s clear that the right tools can make all the difference in achieving greatness—both for the players and the sport as a whole.
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