Breakout success of the 16-year-old is being felt at grassroots level and can shift outdated perceptions of the sport
On Monday evening, the doors to the Sidac social club in St Helens will be opened by Karl Holden, as they are every week so the St Helens Darts Academy can take place. But this week, and every week from now on, there may be a slight logistical issue thanks to the academy’s most famous graduate.
“We have over 90 kids coming into the academy every Monday night, we’re pretty much full as it is,” Holden says. “But during the world championship, I reckon I’ve had at least 20 or 30 kids come into my shop telling me they want to sign up and play.”