Darts has been given a terrific shot in the arm by the recent achievements of 16-year-old Luke Littler.
His form in reaching the World Championship final, and subsequent performances, have captured headlines more associated with footballers.
Now darts enthusiasts across the country are hoping that Littler’s efforts will inspire youngsters to join a local darts league and try their luck, either by joining existing teams or getting a group of friends together and starting a new team!
What about locally in Cumbria? Could it spark a revival in Carlisle for instance?
The Sunday Nights Darts League in Carlisle has shrunk in the last 10 years from four divisions of 10 teams – 40 teams in total – down to just two divisions of 10 teams – 20 teams in total – with a continuing struggle to maintain those two divisions.
Nev Jack is the League secretary and he said: “Darts has been a dying sport around the city, as many pubs close down or the landlords are forced to diversify and change focus by possibly introducing meals to increase or maintain their income and move away from pub sports like darts and pool in order to stay alive and keep open.
“We are hoping that Luke Littler will have ignited a fire of enthusiasm among the younger generation of Carlisle to look at darts with new eyes.
“To view darts as a way get out of the house, with your mates or with new friends, enjoy a competitive night and a game of darts and have a good laugh while you’re doing it
“It’s not an old man’s sport or a dull night out, as some might think, we have young folk playing already who really love it.
“The Sunday Night Darts League would welcome and support injection of new young blood to our league. There are also good darts leagues on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights in and around Carlisle which I am sure would also welcome new young players.
“We are half way through our current season, but the new season starts middle of May and new teams will be welcomed with open arms.”
Every year between Christmas and the New Year (usually Boxing night) the league holds a Pairs Darts knockout for charity where the partnerships are drawn blind out of a hat.
The pairs are competing for the David Coulthard Memorial Trophy. David was a well- liked player in the league who sadly was taken too early and the first knockout in his memory was held in 2009 and has run every year since, except 2020/21 due to Covid.
Although the competition is run by the Sunday Night Darts League, it is an open event and anyone can come along and join in.
Entrants don’t have to be a player in the Sunday Night League in order to enter. It’s open to regular players and also to non-darts players alike. It’s a mixed pair (one man, one woman ) and it’s luck of the draw who are drawn together which is all part of the fun.
Nev added: “We don’t charge much to enter, usually just £2 per person, there’s a raffle too, which adds funds to the kitty.
“There are trophies for winners and runner- up to keep, plus a very modest cash prize (usually £20 each) for the overall winners, yet every year they generally end up generously donating their winnings back into the kitty.
“It’s all about helping the charity and winners are usually just happy that they’re getting their names on the annual trophy.
“Over the years we average around £200 for the nominated charity each Christmas. Those charities we have helped in the past are Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, for six years; Carlisle Special Baby Unit; Fletchers Fund and the Great North Air Ambulance.
“The last one was in aid of Northumbria hospitals, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, based at Carlisle, where one lady in our league has recently received cancer care.
“We are delighted to say, she has just announced this week that she has now been given the all clear!
“It would be great if we could get even more folk coming along to support the night and raise even more for charity this Christmas-time.
“This last grand final was between Shane Williams and Ali MacMillan against John Duncan and Donna English.
“Shane and Ali won and donated their modest prize money back to the charity funds.
“The 50/50 raffle was won by John Wightman who didn’t play, but turned up to support the night later in the evening. He purchased the last tickets sold, but still donated half of his win back to the funds.
“Overall the night raised £257.75 for Carlisle Cancer Unit and we will be looking to do even better at this year’s seasonal event.”
As well as the Sunday Night Mixed League other competitions in and around the city are – Monday city darts; Ladies Tuesday night league; Wednesday night is the Fellside league; Thursday night Petterilside darts league and Friday night is John Peel darts league.
If anyone would like to join or create a team, they should look at the Carlisle Sunday Night Darts Facebook page and message for more info.
