Littler's success boosts Academy

Brian Ivey, darts coach and founder of Paignton Darts Academy, is not at all surprised at the seemingly overnight success of 16-year-old Luke Littler at the recent Professional Darts Corporation World Championships. “He has been playing a long time and was already a very good player,” says Brian.
Brian opened the academy nine years ago to nurture young talent and give young people in South Devon a safe place to practise and enjoy darts away from the traditional pub environment.
The academy is affiliated to the Junior Darts Corporation and has strong links to the same pathways Luke Littler has navigated so well to where he is now.
“Luke has been long established in the JDC and English Youth systems,” confirms Brian. “Winning competitions and beating good players.” Just before Alexandra Palace, Luke won the JDC World Championship in Gibraltar and the World Youth Championship.
When pressed on what makes Luke special, Brian identifies his obvious natural talent and the fact he grew up in a darts household, with his father playing. The footage of Luke playing darts as a toddler has gone viral around the world.
“The throw dynamics were there straight away,” says Brian. “And it’s his brain, his board management and dart knowledge. Thinking about a finish when he’s in the three hundreds. If he goes wrong, he knows how to put it right. He practises, practises and practises. And he knows his darts. This is something you are not born with. You have to learn and practise that.”
And it’s the same with temperament. To be able to handle the drama of the big occasion and vociferous crowds. “You must have a backbone, learn to turn that deaf ear and think the first one down from 501 to zero wins. You cannot do anything about the opposition or the crowd.”
Given his precocity, many are understandably predicting a Phil Taylor-like grip on the sport for Luke. But Brian, with knowledge of the pathways and academy system, warns of “a strong group of 16-23 year old players coming through.”
Standards are rising, making it potentially difficult for Luke to dominate. “To keep where he is, he will have to keep playing those better players, which he will in the Premier League. You need to be hitting 105 plus averages now to win tournaments.”
On the back of “Luke Mania,” Brian has received many new member requests to join Paignton Darts Academy. Which is open to boys and girls from six to eighteen years of age.
“At the academy, we like to play lots of games to make it fun and interesting, such as doubles or trebles based games,” says Brian. “But we also teach good manners and etiquette.”
Paignton has sent nine juniors to the Devon Youth system, which feeds into national pathways and professional status if good enough. Brian nominates Owen Bates as a name to follow. He made his PDC World Championship debut in December, only two years after the Devon Youth Team.
Academy coaching concentrates on key areas such as stance, throw, grip, board management, accuracy and consistency. Giving players the extra edge to play more consistently. Although Brian stresses, “It’s as much about commitment, focus and drive as being the best player.”
Thanks to extensive media coverage, and role models such as Luke Littler, “juniors are looking to become professional players, earning good money by playing darts,” Brian says. “People are now looking at this as a career.”
Exciting and encouraging to know that Luke Littler’s golden road to Alexandra Palace, can begin in Paignton.
Paignton Darts Academy is based at The Roundham Club in New Street, Paignton and meets on Saturday mornings, from 10am -12 noon. Information can be found across social media platforms by searching for Paignton Darts Academy.