Young Luis to hit it BIG!!
Thirteen years old Luis “The Flame Thrower” Barberan has been signed by Sportsman Darts Management Company alongside professional players, Scott Rand, Nigel Heydon and Kim Huybrechts. Luis, who is not yet eligible to play on the youth tour until May 2013 because of his age, has already achieved an impressive journey along the way.
Playing darts from the tender age of eight, within a year he was representing the Warwickshire County under 21’s side where he hit a 180 in his first game. Luis went on to win numerous awards, one in particular against Leicestershire, with a 31:31 average at the age of eleven, the highest average achieved at that age. This last year Luis finished ninth in the overall end of season standings of the Warwickshire Men’s Super League, winning 16 of his 21 games, he also scored more tons than any other player in the league which includes PDC players Kirk Shepherd, Prakash Jiwa and Matt Edgar to name a few.
Luis has been saving his pocket money and any winnings from darts so that he can take part in the youth tour. Rick Barberan (Luis’s father) said “we have set up a separate bank account for Luis and he has already saved over £1,000, he really wants to do this and I am hoping that the guidance he will receive from Mark Elkin and his players, Kim, Scott and Nigel will spur him on and set him in good stead to achieve his dreams”
Luis has already had regular practice sessions with Rand and Heydon and has also played Huybrechts in an exhibition match. Luis said “It’s brilliant to be around these players all the time and a great opportunity to practice and learn from them. Mark also set games up with Dean Winstanley and Jim Walker, Luis said “I recorded a 170 finish against Jim, that was an amazing feeling. I’m also playing Raymond Van Barneveld on stage in December at an exhibition for Modus TV in Birmingham so things are very exciting for me at the moment, I just can’t wait to start the tour”
Mark Elkin of Sportsman Darts Management Company said “When Rick called and asked if I would be interested in mentoring Luis I didn’t hesitate to say yes, I have watched him blossom over the last five years, he’s took on some of the best and beat them, he’s still very young and has a lot to learn, he will have to make sacrifices to achieve his goals which he is aware of, it is my job to guide and advise him. All I can say is look out for the new kid on the block! Luis Barberan”
If anyone would like the opportunity to sponsor Luis Barberan or any of the above players please contact Mark Elkin at mark.elkin@starnights.biz or call 07958608782