Bradford darts ace Louise Simmons knows she is in a Catch 22 situation.

She wants sponsorship to help her enter more tournaments but feels that her lack of competitive opportunities are preventing her from becoming better known so she can attract backing more easily.

The 34-year-old from Eccles-hill has only been playing for Yorkshire for 18 months but the potential for her to make an impact at professional level seems to be there as she has just won the Gibraltar Open, defeating 2006 world semi-finalist Jan Robbins in the final, and reached the final of the Torremolinos Open.

If you are thinking of backing nail technician Simmons, who works from home, it's not a good idea to ring her in the evenings.

The mother of two said: "On Mondays, I play for the Malt Shovel at Cleckheaton in the Spen Valley League (mixed), on Wednesdays I play for the Star in the Keighley and District League (mixed), and on Thursdays I represent The George at Heckmondwike in the Super Six.

"I am the only woman playing in that, and on Fridays I play for Salts Social Club in the Yorkshire Super League (women).

"Then on Sundays, I play in the Lancashire Super League (women) for Oldham. There are also my county appearances to fit in."

England trialist Simmons, who lives with husband Chris and children Nathan, 13, and Chelsea, 11, started playing darts when she was 15 in the Shipley & District League for Eccleshill Con Club on Victoria Road. However, she stopped representing them last year in a bid to test herself at

a better standard of competition. If anyone is interested in sponsoring Simmons, they can contact her on 01274-639481.