Darts is globally on the rise since the debut of teenage sensation Luke Littler, with many youngsters wanting to become the next darting prodigy.
Those dreams are looking to be fulfilled here on Teesside with the first darts academy opened in Grangetown.
It has been set up by Teesside events company, MJV Promotions, in their latest effort to promote youth darts.
Co-owner Jeff Tate said: “It was something that we had been planning for years, but we needed to find the right time to open it.
“We have been involved in youth darts for a while now but we just want to give kids a space to be playing darts, knowing that they are in a safe environment.”
The academy has been open for two weeks and is seeing 35 to 40 kids attending each session already.
It has garnered support from darting stars who have become ambassadors for the academy.
This includes the reigning Youth Darts World Champion Gian Van Veen, who is seeded 24th in the world rankings, as well as local legend, and three-time BDO World Champion and 2020 Premier League Champion. Glen Durrant.
MJV are hosting an event in Middlesbrough tomorrow, which includes Van Veen and Durrant as special guests alongside Ricky Evans, the so-called “fastest darts player in the world”, who once threw a 180 in 2.65 seconds.
The event will give youngsters an opportunity to play on the big stage against skilled professionals with no pressure.
Various types of memberships can be bought for the darts academy, with sessions run by qualified darts coaches.
Jeff said: “ Our team were some of the first qualified darts coaches in the whole world.”
Sessions are open to people from the ages of six to 21 and for varying abilities.
MJV Promotions also helped with the development of a nine-year-old boy from Chester-le-Street, who is already being tipped to be the next Luke Littler. Kai Tiffen, who has signed with the dart producers Winmau, has already hit a nine darter.
Jeff said: “ We have noticed a shift with participants in our events to the point that there are actually more kids entering tournaments than adults”.
