Salford darts academy receive visit from two professional darts players

The Swan Darts Academy received a visit from two professional players to show support to the next generation of darts. 

The academy were visited by players Jamie Caven and ‘The Diamond’ Ian White, with the players giving the younger generation a chance to play PDC professionals.

The surprise appearance from the two PDC players, was a credit to the success of the darts academy which formed just under a year ago.

Hosted every Wednesday at the Walkden Legion Club from 7pm to 9pm, it is an inclusive club that has allowed children around Salford to fall in love with the game of darts.

With over 40 children in attendance weekly, it has become a regular event encouraging them to bond in the community and improve their on-board skills.

And with the club allowing children from the age of eight to participate, it has not only improved their darting skills.

Danielle Swettenham, 35, said: “Having something like this in the community is amazing, and it has brought the kids on so much.

“We never thought we would get something like this and watching them get these experiences against the players it is amazing.”

She added: “We are getting so many comments from parents that are telling us that they are getting compliments from their teachers about how much their maths have improved, and the behaviour has improved.

“And because we have such a wide variety of kids from different backgrounds, it has helped them in so many ways and built a lot of respect between them.”

And with the room filled with young talent, Danielle continued: “I have played for twelve years, and I started quite young, and I played because my parents and grandparents played, but now my son plays and to know that the younger generations will carry on the leagues.

“It got to a point a while ago, where the leagues were struggling and we were a dying breed but its back, and it is why we have done this.

“A lot of them are Luke Littler fans, but they are so obsessed with so many players, and we know he started the trend, but it is nice to know they are engaging with the sport and choosing a wide variety of players.”

She added: “We are all committed to them, and we make sure that we are helping them, and showing them how to play – we want to support them or else we are failing them.”

And much like the professionals, the children involved in the club have also been able to get their own darting shirts with nicknames to coincide with the darting traditions.

And with a sponsored stage at the back of the Walkden Legion Club – it has allowed the Salford youth to get a taste for stage presence and playing in front of a crowd.

Danielle added: “It has created a huge buzz amongst the kids, and we when we started in the back room of the Swan Pub, and to now see this it is amazing.”

And with the club being led by The Academy’s coach, Arran Mattinson, previously mentored Luke Littler, who became the youngest World Championship in history – there is a prospect for future stars.

As Soph, 27, Arran’s partner added: “For us it is just amazing to see how much it has grown, we are speechless at the response we have had.

“To see everyone come together, get on, and play together we are just like a big darts family, and when we found out professional players were coming along to see it – we were utterly speechless.”

And with the growing interest in the sport, Danielle went on to share her desire to get more girls in the game, she added: “I joined the team to help encourage more girls to play, as there is always the assumption that they don’t play, when they do.

“We just need to get more girls into the sport, and it is hard – but we are just encouraging them to invite their friends and even just watch.

“We know that once they give it a try, they will get the bug for the darts, and we will make sure they are looked after – so I will even take them to the board in the other room and play with them myself.

“The numbers are increasing, but we need the girls, we need them to come through and make sure that the next generation of female players are there.”

And with the next generation of Salford darts players being welcomed into the club with open arms and taught by experienced players there will be certain home that Salford will be the home to future stars in the sport.

More information about the Swan Darts Academy and the work they do can be found here.