Littler Inspires His Own Generation, Let Alone The Next One

Advertorial: One of the huge stories to come out of sport in general in the first few months of the year of 2024, was the phenomenal and dramatic emergence of teenager Luke Littler.

You did not need to be a darts fan, or follow the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in absolutely any way, or even know what Ally Pally means in the game, for you to have not come across his name in more recent weeks.

The 17 year old was a complete unknown in the full professional game at the oche, but he proved himself to be an absolute starlet in his debut run through the Players Championship - and he has more than proven the potential that people saw when he made the World Championship final back in January when he was only 16 year's of age and from this guide he could not have done any better.

Beating Ryan Searle 8-7 in the final in Wigan, he actually hit his second nine dart finish to lift his first Championship title. His first nine dart finish had come slightly earlier in a game against Nathan Aspinall at the Bahrain Masters as he won that non-ranking competition.

Having won seven games in give or take five hours as he took himself to his success, he had full credit for the development tour, given he learned full well about how to manage successive and quick encounters against different opponents, with different strengths. It clearly served him well.

Whilst he obviously now has greater designs for his own future in the game, one thing that has come out of his almost immediate successes since the turn of the year, is that he has now become an inspiration for far younger kids to turn to the game, and one darts venue (yes a pub) in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has seen a startling response with the interest shown in the new darts club that they have set up.

38 year old, Adam Thompson, of The Windmill pub, has utterly credited the 'Luke Littler effect' for sparking the interest of between 50 to 60 children to register for his new club. Capitalising on the success of the youngster for all the right reasons, Thompson stated that he started the club because there was a lack of places available in the county for kids to come in, socialise, have a laugh, and also have some fun, and he had an 'incredible' response from both the kids and his request for equipment from his local community.

He knows full well, it is not about the success, or even really the talent - it is about the community, the friendships kids will make whilst they are off the streets, and even the new friends parents will make as they mix and enjoy a cheeky Vimto or two.

"We have three or four kids that come in here that love darts and there is nothing for them, unless they go all the way down to Stowmarket. Yarmouth is a big part of Norfolk. There is so much talent and people want to help out so much here."

Whether Thompson manages to find the next Littler, or even the next Phil 'The Power' Taylor is wildly open for debate. If he, or another club does, the game will benefit and a youngsters life could be changed well beyond their dreams.

If it is not, much like boxing, football, rugby, and other sports, they have gained new friends, a new community and are invested in something that keeps them off the streets and getting into trouble.

There cannot be many people in the world, darts fans or not, who feel that this is a bad thing - darts takes skill, dedication and discipline. Dedication and discipline, along with enjoyment, is something every kid should grow up with.

Littler can be proud of his own growth, he should be prouder of the people he may now have inspired.