The Pride of St Helens Award - sponsored by the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group

FROM its humble beginnings the St Helens Darts Academy has earned a reputation across the country and beyond for producing top-class players.

The academy was first launched 11 years ago by Karl Holden at Our Lady’s Club in Parr with most members men looking to improve their pub game.

After relocating to Sidac Social Club in 2016, it has since become known as one of the country’s most prolific, with membership figures switching almost completely towards young people looking to learn their trade.

And in more recent years the academy has seen a surge in numbers following the success of former academy graduates at the sport’s very highest level.

The academy crew were overwhelmed with the awardThe academy crew were overwhelmed with the award (Image: Dave Gillespie) St Helens darts star Michael Smith’s triumph in the 2023 World Darts Championship saw demand grow by about 30 per cent.

And when teenage prodigy Luke Littler, another St Helens Darts Academy product, reached the World final in January this year, numbers sky-rocketed with the academy having a lengthy waiting list due to the surge in demand, as the academy has helped cement the town as a darts hotbed.

Michael SmithMichael Smith (Image: PDC) After being named as the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group pride of St Helens award winners, a delighted Karl Holden: “It’s unreal. My dad (Dave) is the inspiration behind me to get everybody involved with darts and enjoy themselves.

Luke LittlerLuke Littler (Image: Kieran Cleeves/PDC)

“This academy has brought us so many great players like Luke Littler, my dad coached Michael Smith and we’ve been involved with Stephen Bunting.

“To get up here today is amazing.”

Karl gave recognition to the efforts of all the committee and those involved with the darts academy, which has seen it be respected across the country and overseas.

The academy ream on stageThe academy ream on stage (Image: Dave Gillespie) “They turn up every week and do it for nothing. We do it for the right reasons.”

Highly commended for the Pride of St Helens Award were Saints Women’s team and the St Helens Carers.