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‘You couldn’t go and buy a board in town!’ How teen world champ Luke Littler and local lads Scott Williams and Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams have inspired a boom in youth darts across Spalding, Holbeach and the Deepings




Teen sensation Luke Littler and local lad Scott Williams are being hailed as the reason for a boom in youth darts in the area.

Whether it’s a thriving youth academy already with a waiting list, a growing number of local competitions or kids progressing into senior pub leagues, youngsters are well and truly up for oche action right now.

“Since Littler broke through, and it was highlighted he was a youngster heading for the big time, it’s gone massive with the youth,” said Spalding and District League chairman Ian Tilley, a well-known figure on the darts scene where he is an international referee and MC.

Luke Littler is inspiring kids to get playing darts. Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Luke Littler is inspiring kids to get playing darts. Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

“From the start of last year it’s really taken off. It’s snowballed.

“There’s talent out there, there’s talent here - some really good local players.”

Aged just 17, Littler claimed the World Darts Championship title and £500,000 in prize money earlier this month at Alexandra Palace, going one better than 12 months earlier when he burst well and truly into the public psyche, despite being pipped by Luke Humphries in the final.

Ian Tilley
Ian Tilley

With his much-publicised love of football, video games and kebabs, the Warrington-born PDC poster boy has become a relatable hero to many youngsters across the country.

But with Swineshead’s Scott Williams and Boston-based Rob Cross - both of whom compete in local leagues for the Green Dragon - also among the game’s biggest names right now, kids in the area are starting to realise that stardom isn’t just for darts fans from other parts of the country.

“Round here they can associate to Luke being a young lad and Scott being a local lad,” added Ian, who has known Littler for more than five years after scoring for him at Bridlington when the superstar teen was just a 12-year-old with big ambitions.

Scott Williams.
Scott Williams.

“You couldn’t go and buy a darts board in town when he became famous. It’s good for the game. The amount of youth players coming into the system.

“The youth payers have seen there’s a stepping stone with Littler, and the same with Scott Williams. He’s done a super thing for local darts. It inspires the kids.”

The perfect example of the rise in darts popularity has been Holbeach’s Tigers Darts Academy, which meets at the Tigers Sports and Social Club every Wednesday.

Scott Williams and Rob Cross feature in the new Panini collection
Scott Williams and Rob Cross feature in the new Panini collection

With 28 regulars and a waiting list the Junior Darts Corporation-affiliated sessions have proven a real hit since launching officially in September.

“My daughter was playing in a local league with us against adults and was asking to play against more youths her age. There was nothing in our area, so I was like, we’ll set up an academy,” said organiser Claire Brookin, herself coming from a darts-mad family.

“It’s just thrived. We did a taster session, we had 25 turn up and pretty much that 25 have stayed and more have shown up.

Claire Brookin has set up the academy in Holbeach
Claire Brookin has set up the academy in Holbeach

“Two of our children have gone on to play youth county and quite a few have gone on to enter youth tournaments and do really well.

“We all get together and have a good laugh, play a few games. It helps with their maths, sight training. It’s a good social thing.”

Despite the waiting list, the academy does hold a number of additional fun events where anyone can turn up and play, with full details of upcoming events available on their Facebook page.

Youngsters are enjoying darts at the Bell Tavern in Deeping St James. Image courtesy of the Bell Tavern
Youngsters are enjoying darts at the Bell Tavern in Deeping St James. Image courtesy of the Bell Tavern

Of course, the area’s pubs are also a hotbed for the darts renaissance, perhaps none more so than the Bell Tavern at Deeping St James where monthly tournaments and weekend practice sessions encourage youngsters to enjoy the arrows.

Backed by local resident and three-time BDO Wold Champ Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams, a healthy number of youngsters are competing.

“We’re currently doing Sunday afternoon practices ready for our next tournament,” explained Bell landlord Paul Frith.

Martin 'Wolfie' Adams taking on the locals in aid of Newton Church at Tydd St Giles community centre
Martin 'Wolfie' Adams taking on the locals in aid of Newton Church at Tydd St Giles community centre

“We had 15 here on Sunday, and out of the four tournaments the least we’ve had is 16. It’s mainly been around the 20-28 mark.

“Mr Littler’s really put darts back on the map.”

Paul joked that having Wolfie attend all the events ‘certainly helps’ boost numbers.

The bell tavern at Deeping St James. Image: Googlr
The bell tavern at Deeping St James. Image: Googlr

“He wanders about, lets them get on with what they’re doing, but if they ask for a few tips he’ll offer his wisdom,” Paul added.

“The kids are loving it and meeting new friends.”

The Draymans Arms in Spalding is another pub enjoying darts fever with exhibition nights starring PDC ace ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans and fellow pro Andy Hamilton pencilled in for this year.

The Draymans Arms darts tournament saw healthy youth and senior sections competing. Photo: Chris Lowndes
The Draymans Arms darts tournament saw healthy youth and senior sections competing. Photo: Chris Lowndes

Last weekend locals were offered the chance to enter a tournament with winners securing their spot to face Evans on February 8, Holbeach’s Jayden Lee winning the youth section.

While the area’s darts youngsters may have stars in their eyes and dreams of winning huge cash prizes from the biggest tournaments, for Ian the resurgence in the sport brings the comfort of knowing the local leagues have safe futures.

“Since start of 2024 we’ve had youth players playing in our Super Leagues, and kids going through to the youth county sides,” he added.

Scott Williams
Scott Williams

“And the great thing is they’re incredible players. We’ve got youth players coming into the Spalding and District League wanting to play for teams.

“I played last Monday and there was a young lad in their team and you could see the potential. He could play. It’s great to see.”

“I’ve been playing for more than 50 years and I wont be here forever. A lot of players are at a certain age. We need players coming through and its nice to see.

“Local darts is in a really comfortable place at the minute. The Boston, Spalding and Holbeach leagues all have youth players coming through. It’s brilliant to see it.”



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