The Greater Manchester darts club that kids are quitting football for "He thinks it’s too much pressure at such a young age and he finds darts more relaxing." Youngsters play darts at the Walkden Legion Club every Wednesday (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News ) It’s an uncharacteristically warm Wednesday evening and a Salford boozer is filled to the brim. But instead of grown-ups seeing out the day with a chinwag and a pint or two, young darts enthusiasts have taken over the pub to hone their craft. Just over 40 young Salfordians fill up the Walkden Legion Club as part of the darts academy that has been running in the area for almost a year. Known as the Swan Darts Academy, the school was created by Arran Mattinson. ‌ Before opening the academy, the 28-year-old once coached darts champion Luke Littler during his formative years in the sport, and now he spends every Wednesday teaching kids aged between eight and 16-years-old. The academy takes place every Wednesday night in Salford (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News ) Last year, Littler made headlines when he became the youngest person to win a major after being crowned champion at the Premier League Darts 2024 final. Article continues below Originally from Runcorn, Cheshire, Littler has already built up a legendary career in darts despite his young age. A self-confessed Manchester United fan, Luke trained at the St Helens Darts Academy and spent time with the Lancashire Youth Darts team, where Arran served as a manager. “I trained Luke when he was still a young lad and I knew from the very beginning that he was good but seeing what he has gone to do has still surprised me." Said Arran. Littler’s achievements have seemingly influenced a generation. One of those inspired by the young champion is Nathan Rolfe, 14. ‌ Nathan began playing just under a year ago, after dropping football to pursue darts. “He decided he wanted to play, he just fancied it." Said Nathan's dad, Nick. "He used to play football and he was going to Wigan and Blackburn but he gave it up. He fell out of love with it, he thinks it’s too much pressure at such a young age and he finds darts more relaxing. ‌ “It’s been amazing, he has got a talent and as long as he sticks at it, who knows." Nathan Rolfe, 14, left football to join the darts club (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News ) Speaking to the M.E.N about his journey into darts, Nathan said: “I watched the world championships last year, then I got a little paper board in my house and it went from there. ‌ “I took to it pretty quickly; I try to practice every day. I met Luke at St Helen’s darts shop a few months ago, it was pretty cool. “He’s really nice. It was just mad to see him because I remember seeing him on telly." While heaving, it is still a male dominated environment. Except for Ava Foggert, 11. ‌ One of only two girls in attendance at the club, she joined the academy after accompanying her father to watch her older brother, Harry, play. “They asked her to join, and she stepped up." Said her dad Chris. "She’s stuck to it and she’s done well, she’s won a night and been to other finals as well. “She does dance too, so on Wednesdays it’s dancing, then darts." ‌ Ava Foggert, 11 (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News ) According to parents, the sport is also helping children academically. “As a parent, you’d rather be sitting in here with a pint than outside.” Said mum, Leah Watts, whose sons, Harry Dey, nine, and Max Dey, 13, attend the club. “You can see their maths has improved as well with the counting that they have to do. It’s amazing. ‌ “My son works from pure memory now; he barely looks at the board. It should 100% be taught in school because it’s really helping their minds.” There is a huge waiting list for the darts academy (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News ) After starting the club, Arran had to change venues from the White Swan pub also in Walkden to the Walkden Legion Club after the academy doubled in size with more desperate to get in. Article continues below “It’s rammed every Wednesday when a session takes place.” Arran told the M.E.N. “We teach around 40 kids a night and there’s another 72 on the waiting list, but we can’t squeeze them in because we just don’t have the time. “Darts has always been an old man sport, not for me because I’ve been playing it since I was child, but there is that stigma about it. Hopefully with groups like this we can change it.”