MICK “Lone Wolf” Lacey, an Ipswich local and proud Wakka Wakka man, is making his mark on the Australian darts scene, securing a spot among the nation’s top five players.
As National Close the Gap Day is marked today, Lacey’s story highlights the importance of health equality for First Nations Peoples, a key focus of the day.
For more than a decade now, Australians from every corner of the country, in schools, businesses and community groups, have shown their support for Close the Gap by marking National Close the Gap Day on the third Thursday in March each year.
Lacey’s identity as an Indigenous Australian is an essential part of his sporting success.
He proudly incorporates his heritage into his competitive uniform, emphasising the importance of culture.
“Growing up, there was no Close the Gap, NAIDOC Day, or anything like that in the 1980s,” Lacey reflected.
“When I went to New Zealand and saw how the Māori were treated, how their culture was integrated into everyday life, it opened my eyes.
“Coming back to Australia, I’ve worked hard to learn as much as I can about my own heritage and be a mentor.”
In addition to his role as an athlete, Lacey’s work in the community further reflects the values of Close the Gap Day.
As a Care Officer with the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, he helps Indigenous men transition from jail to life in the community, giving back to those in need.
“I try to give back to my community, especially with the younger athletes,” he said.
“There’s only one way to get better – practice.”
Lacey is a role model for young Indigenous athletes.
“There are a lot of young Indigenous kids who see me as a role model, which is great,” he said.
“There’s been a huge growth in younger players – when I started, there were maybe 20 juniors at the Queensland State Championships. Last year, there were 55.”
In the 2023-24 season, Lacey achieved the No.1 ranking in Queensland and finished equal fourth nationally, solidifying his place in the sport.
His success on the darts circuit is testament to the power of hard work and dedication, much like the values Close the Gap Day seeks to promote in addressing health disparities.
“My parents both played, so there were always darts around the house,” Lacey said.
His dedication to the sport is clear, as he plays four competition nights a week – Monday through Thursday.
“That’s pretty much my practice,” he said.
Lacey’s international debut in 2015 at the Sky City Super League Darts in Auckland marked the beginning of his journey to success.
Since then, he has achieved notable finishes, including reaching the quarterfinals of the Auckland Open in 2017 and competing in the 2019 Australian Open Darts.
His accomplishments also include top finishes in national events like the Darts Queensland Xmas Classic and the Alice Springs Open.
Looking ahead, Lacey is focused on representing Queensland at the Australian Championships in Brisbane this July and hopes to secure a spot on the Australian team for the World Cup.
