Since their first matches a month ago the club’s numbers have tripled
A NEW under 18s darts group has been created at Cogan Coronation Club and young players are travelling from all over Cardiff to join.
In the club’s first week 10 players turned up and just three weeks later they have 30 on the oche. Founder Dean Ford believes the growth isn’t going to slow down any time soon.
“It’s the Luke Littler effect,” he shrugged.
Luke Littler burst onto the professional darts scene, aged just 16, at the World Championships in January 2024. He came close to completing an amazing fairytale by winning the tournament but lost the final to world number one Luke Humphries.
The excitement generated by Littler has spurred more young people to play but because darts is mostly played in pubs it can be difficult for youth players to find a game.
“One parent said to me that he’d had a look and the closest under 18s club was in Newport,” said Mr Ford.
It’s the Luke Littler effect
Dean Ford, the man behind the new club.
“It’s great. If they’re out doing this, they’re not at home on their Playstation or Xbox.”
The quick expansion of the club has already led Cogan Coronation Club to buy a fourth dart board just to make sure everyone gets a chance to play.
The club is for 12-18 year olds and runs from 6-8pm on a Monday evening, at Cogan Coronation Club. 1 Hewell Street, Penarth, CF64 2JZ.
