Darts has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity following Luke Littler’s impressive performance in the world tournament, with young people eager to take up the sport now facing long waiting lists, according to coach Shaun Rogers.
Rogers, who was coaching just a small group of children in Longton last year, has seen an unprecedented rise in demand for his training sessions. What started as a modest gathering of young enthusiasts has now turned into a fully booked schedule, with Monday night sessions massively oversubscribed.
“It’s gone ballistic this year, to be honest. It grows by the day,” Rogers said, emphasizing how the sport has captured the imagination of the younger generation.
The surge in interest has drawn aspiring players from various locations beyond Staffordshire. Young players now travel from places as far away as Sandbach, Stockport, and Nottingham to attend Rogers’ one-on-one coaching sessions. This growing interest in darts among youth is an encouraging sign for the sport’s future.
Rogers expressed his excitement about the rising popularity of darts and believes that schools should take advantage of this enthusiasm. He highlighted the educational benefits of the game, particularly in mathematics, which plays a crucial role in scoring and strategy.
“I think the maths side of it is obviously massive,” Rogers explained. “The likes of Michael Van Gerwen and Wesley Plaisier, these guys have done darts at school – they’ve learnt the numbers and the checkouts.”
The young players at his academy share the same sentiment, believing that schools should introduce darts as an extracurricular activity. They have noticed significant interest among their classmates, many of whom are eager to get involved but struggle to find opportunities.
“Loads of people at school want to get into it but they have nowhere to go because everywhere’s full,” said Kaylub, 15, one of Rogers’ students.
While Rogers acknowledges that some schools might be hesitant to introduce darts due to concerns about the potential misuse of the equipment, he remains optimistic. He believes that structured programs and proper supervision can ensure that the sport is introduced in a safe and controlled manner.
“I understand that some schools worry about safety and the potential for darts to be misused,” he said. “But with the right guidelines in place, there’s no reason why it can’t be implemented successfully.”
Staffordshire, the birthplace of darts legend Phil “The Power” Taylor, has a deep-rooted connection to the sport, making it an ideal region to lead the way in integrating darts into school activities. Rogers is hopeful that by September, more schools in the area will recognize the potential of darts as a fun, engaging, and educational sport for students.
He believes that if schools embrace darts, it could provide young people with valuable skills, including improved mathematical ability, concentration, and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, it could serve as a stepping stone for those aspiring to follow in the footsteps of professional players like Littler and Van Gerwen.
“It’s a fantastic way to develop numeracy skills, and it teaches discipline, precision, and focus,” Rogers noted. “Some of these young players have real talent, and with the right support, they could go far.”
The overwhelming demand for darts coaching in Staffordshire and surrounding areas demonstrates the sport’s growing appeal among young people. Rogers hopes that the enthusiasm seen at his academy will translate into wider acceptance in schools, ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to develop their skills and passion for darts. With momentum building, the future of the sport looks brighter than ever.
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