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Luke Littler drives surge in young darts players

BBC Jac, 12, stands next to a dartboard at Cwm Taf Arrows Darts Academy and holds his dartsBBC
"I was born to play darts," says Jac, 12, a member of Cwm Taf Arrows Darts Academy in Hirwaun

The number of youngsters playing darts has doubled after the success of the sport's teenage sensation Luke Littler.

As a 16-year-old Littler reached the PDC World Championship final, which saw online interest in the game soar, and him crowned BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 on Tuesday night.

Social media influencers have also played their part and the Junior Darts Cooperation (JDC) in Wales claim darts has become one of the fastest growing sports with children.

With the 2025 World Championship now under way at Alexandra Palace in London the popularity of the game is predicted to grow further.

One junior academy in Hirwaun in Rhondda Cynon Taf started in April and is already at capacity.

"I was born to play darts," said Jac, 12, who plays every Monday at the Cwm Taf Arrows Darts Academy.

"I love darts because it's such a captivating sport and it gets the whole family involved."

14 year old, Bailey, stands next to a dartboard at Cwm Taf Arrows Darts Academy
Bailey, 14, joined Cwm Taf Arrows Darts Academy when it opened in April

Iestyn, 15, was one of those inspired by Littler, now 17, and he also plays the game with his family when not at the academy.

"My mother is my inspiration because she pushes me on when I'm not doing so well," he said. "She says 'C'mon boy you can do this'."

"Luke Littler has come on the scene and made darts popular and it's huge now like it was back in the day."

Bailey, 14, said: "I just watched it as a kid with my nan and bamp, and dad bought a dartboard, so I started throwing and I just found it interesting and when I saw Cwm Taf arrows open, I asked to join. We've become like a family here, it's amazing."

Dan McNamara, who has long hair and a beard, stands in front of a dartboard
Dan McNamara - whose darts nickname is "Welsh Jesus" - started Bull Hitters with his brother, Bailey and two friends

The WDC final was watched by 3.7m people - making it Sky's biggest audience for a non-football sporting event. As well as large viewing figures, ticket sales and social media interest have also increased.

Social media influencers have also helped drive the boom.

The Bull Hitters are four online darts content creators based in Dorset, and include brothers Dan and Bailey McNamara, originally from Tir-y-Berth in Blaenau Gwent.

"Our goal is to keep the interest in darts during the quiet period," said Dan, 30, whose long hair and beard have earned him the nickname "Welsh Jesus".

"Social media influencers keep the eye on the sport because when it's not on TV fans can now watch it on TikTok and YouTube.

"Luke Littler has brought all these youngsters to the game and hopefully we can play our part in keeping them interested."

They have created an online darts game using everyday items.

"I used to sit at the Christmas dinner table as a kid and think could I throw this carrot like a dart," said Dan. "So we've made darts from carrots and household objects. I can't use chop sticks anymore because I've turned them into darts".

Lisa Thomas smiles with players from the academy behind her.
"The growth in six months has been incredible," says Lisa Thomas of JDC in Wales

Dan's brother Bailey had been in football academies since he was four, but he had a career-ending injury two years ago, and he is now focusing on darts.

"We just want to make darts as big as we can," he said. "What Luke Littler did was massive for darts and we are trying to sustain the interest when tournaments aren't on."

The number of junior academies has doubled in Wales since Littler's emergence, and the appearance of the Bull Hitters in Hirwaun also impressed their young fans.

"I watch them online, it's unbelievable they're here," said Bailey.

Lisa Thomas, the JDC Wales manager, said: "The growth in six months has been incredible we need more areas to come on board and start academies because of the demand."

Bailey McNamara smiles as he stands next to a dartboard
"We just want to make darts as big as we can," says Bailey McNamara

The Bridgend family-run darts company, Nodor group, whose brands include Winmau and Red Dragon Darts, is also benefiting from the boom.

It has sold a majority stake in the company to private equity firm Inflexion, and press reports estimate the deal to be worth about £100m.

PDC darts referee Huw Ware, who is adjudicating at The WDC championship in London, said there was "an explosion" in the sport's popularity.

"In Wales the depth of quality started around 2014 with Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton and now we have other young players coming through."

"Darts was going well with Gerwyn and Jonny on the big stage but combine that with the Luke Littler effect and the popularity is reflected at academies like this packed with players.