Successful academy for young darters in St Helens partners with major manufacturer Target Darts

Target Darts have announced that a Youth Darts Academy in St Helens, home of the current world champion and world number one Michael Smith, has become the newest Elite 1 Affiliated Academy.

In recent times the academy has helped produce the likes of Luke Littler and Eleanor Cairns, both of whom have now signed deals with Target Darts. "We are thrilled to welcome St Helens Youth Darts Academy to the Elite 1 affiliate program," said the Head of Youth Development at Target, Lorraine Winstanley.

"They have a proven track record of developing top-class players," Winstanley continues. "We are looking forward to working with them for many years to come."

What becoming an Elite 1 Affiliated Academy means is that you are one of the best in the country and alongside Target Darts, the darting stars of tomorrow are likely to be nurtured and developed from one of these academies.

"Target are one of the biggest brands if not the biggest brand in darts so having them look after us will progress these players and hopefully we can produce even more players for Target in the coming years," says Karl Holden, co-founder of the academy. "The likes of Stephen Bunting, Bradley Brooks, Dave Chisnall, Luke and Eleanor are just a few to name that have already come from the academy.“