THE secretary of St Helens Darts Academy said Michael Smith's World Championship win will "inspire" youngsters in the town

The academy, based at Sidac Club in Sutton Leach, sees between 40 and 80 youngsters turn up to play darts each Monday evening. 

It has played its part in building the town's reputation as a darts hotbed, which has been bolstered by the emergence of several local players competing at the top of the professional game, including Michael Smith, and multiple major finalist Dave Chisnall.

The work of the academy was given a mention by St Helens-born Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke during last night's World Championship final.

The town also saw a recent success story on the oche as teenager Eleanor Cairns won the inaugural L-style WDF Girls World Champion at Lakeside in 2022.

Secretary of St Helens Darts Academy, Karl Holden, whose dad Dave coached Michael as a youngster, said the Clock Face thrower's world title triumph will boost the game in the town.

READ > How St Helens is celebrating Michael Smith's World Championship triumph

"It is good for darts and it's good that someone my dad coached being world champion. 

"It is just brilliant, to win that (world championship), it is so hard to do. 

"I've known Michael since he was 14, he had a few lessons with my dad, and he was so happy last night." 

Karl expects there to be a surge in interest in darts among the town's youth and says he has already been contacted by some interested in attending the academy since Tuesday night.

Karl added: "It will inspire young people, and now Michael's the best player in the world, ranked number one.

"He came to the darts academy three weeks ago, the kids were gobsmacked and now they've watched him on the TV." 

See the St Helens Darts Academy page on Facebook.