Kyle Anderson’s death triggers heartbreak across Central Queensland

The death of the popular figure at age 33 has shocked the darts world and the local community.

A loveable character, a wonderful family man, a fantastic role model and an incredibly talented darts player.

That is how Rockhampton’s Heath Daley is remembering his good mate and Central Queensland darts star Kyle Anderson, who died on Tuesday aged 33.

Anderson’s death has rocked the darts world and the local community.

Daley was devastated by the news and heartbroken for the young family that Anderson cherished – wife Tara and their two sons, one of whom was born in March this year.

“Kyle touched everyone’s heart, on and off the board,” Daley said.

“He was a great young man who achieved a lot; he chased his dream and showed everyone that with hard work you can do it.

Kyle Anderson at the PDC Players Darts Championship in Minehead, England, in November 2019. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

“If people were lucky enough to know him away from darts, he was a great personality, quite a character, and he’d do anything for anyone.”

Daley was Anderson’s former manager and was instrumental in getting him on to the pro circuit and overseas to compete with the Professional Darts Corporation.

Anderson broke through on the Australian circuit in 2012, qualifying for the 2013 World Championship.

He earned his PDC Tour Card in 2014 and relocated to the United Kingdom, becoming the first Indigenous Australian full-time professional player.

He forged an impressive resume, which included representing Australia four times in the PDC World Cup of Darts.

In 2017 he won the Auckland Darts Masters, the first Australian to win a World Series title.

He competed in seven world championships and was one of only eight players to hit a nine-dart finish at a PDC World Championship.

Kyle Anderson tested positive for Covid in March last year.

Daley said Anderson’s achievements spoke for themselves, and he was proud to have played a part in his celebrated career.

He said they were both reminiscing about Anderson’s incredible journey just weeks ago.

Anderson returned to Australia from the UK in March 2020 and just over a week later tested positive to Covid.

He spent four weeks isolating on his in-laws’ property at Mount Morgan before returning to his family in Gracemere.

He never went back to the UK to compete, and he gave up his PDC Tour Card this year.

Anderson’s love of darts started as a child, playing on the dartboard at his family home.

He always maintained it was a game that anyone could play.

“You can be playing at a family barbecue or on the biggest stage in the world in London but no matter who you are, this game can be fun for you,” he said.