Matt Heasley/PDC

'I started playing Fantasy Premier League. Nottingham Forest are my team now' - Damon Heta reveals his love of football since move to England

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 2:04 PM ET

Damon Heta may be one of the most consistent players on the PDC circuit, but there's far more to The Heat than just his scoring power and trademark smile. In a recent video feature with Harrows Darts, the Australian opened up about his roots, his marriage, football loyalties — and the story behind the nicknames fans might not know.

The 36-year-old revealed he’s been married for nearly 15 years. “We got married on the 30th of October, 2010. So yeah, we’re coming up to 15 years. Crazy. Especially being this young — you wouldn’t think it!”

While many fans know Heta as a proud Aussie, his heritage is a little more complex. “My mum is Australian, but my dad is Māori — so I’m half and half, you could say. My dad’s from New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was about seven," he explains. "So yeah — dad meets mum, have kids, and this guy comes out,” he joked.

Heta has also adopted an English football team since relocating to the UK — though he admits it wasn’t love at first sight.

“I didn’t know anything about football really. But I started playing Fantasy Premier League, and that got me into knowing teams and players," he recalls. "I picked Nottingham Forest when I first stopped in that area — and I’ve stuck with them ever since. I watched them get promoted, so yeah — Forest are my team now.”

When it comes to nicknames, The Heat may be the official tag, but Heta revealed it wasn’t his first choice.

“It was really hard to pick one. I started off with The Crusader, but it just didn’t fit. I spent a whole weekend with my mates trying to come up with something. We landed on The Heat — it suits me, being from Australia and all," he laughs. "But I also gave myself the nickname D-Rod. That came from cricket — they were going to call me The Meerkat, so I had to jump on something fast!”

Between his laid-back charm and ever-rising profile, Damon Heta continues to win fans on and off the oche — and if his form continues, the only heat he’ll be feeling is the pressure at the business end of the sport’s biggest stages.