Colin Osborne has been rewarded for his great successes over the last 18 months with promotion to ‘Maestro’ in Team Unicorn.
The honour for Osborne coincides with the signing of a new contract with the world’s leading darts manufacturer and it sets him up nicely for the next big step in his career.
“The backing of Unicorn has always meant a lot to me and to go from ‘Contender’ to ‘Maestro’ is a massive thing for me. It is great to be able to repay the faith of everyone at Unicorn, because they have supported me right from the off and it is great to win tournaments for them as well,” he said.
Osborne has of course, won his first ‘Major’ – beating Phil Taylor to win the final of Championship League Darts last October, he also reached the final of the UK Open at Bolton and the last four at the Players Championship Finals at the Circus Tavern.
On the PDC Pro Tour, ‘The Wizard’ won two events, reached two more finals and nine semi-finals. He was one of the most consistent players on the tour last year.
But his achievement of finally reaching the world’s top ten is certainly a memorable moment for Osborne.
“Obviously beating Taylor to win Championship League darts is the highlight of my career but to get into the world’s top 10 is a significant achievement for me,” he said.
His next targets are a place in the top four in the world rankings and a place in the 2011 Premier League.
“I just feel good about my game and have certainly benefited from the experience of the last two years and the good, the bad and the ugly! It’s all part of the sport and I still feel that I am learning but I play with no fear and a lot of belief these days and there’s no doubt that it’s made a big difference for me.”
Unicorn Managing Director Edward Lowy said: “We’re delighted for Colin and congratulate him for breaking into the world’s top 10. With the incredible talent around, this is no mean achievement. It is so well deserved for one of the hardest working, most professional operators on the circuit.”
He added: “Last year saw Colin beat ‘The Power’ to win Championship League darts and we are sure that ‘Maestro’ Osborne is well positioned to have a cracking 2010.”
He is guaranteed automatic qualification into all the ‘TV Majors’ with the power to add during 2010 and there’s no doubt that his friendship with Andy Hamilton is benefitting both players.
Hamilton has just moved from Stoke to Osborne’s home town of Derby and the pair now practice together virtually every day – putting in the hard hours.
Colin Osborne, it seems, is ready to take on the next big challenges that face him in 2010.
By STUART PYKE (Twitter @stuartpykesport)