Inspired by Luke Littler: identical twins from Devon dreaming of darting success

Identical twins Harry and Alfie from Devon are dreaming big — they want to become professional darts players. The teenage brothers were deeply inspired by Luke Littler’s meteoric rise, especially his historic World Championship win in January at just 17 years old.

“I never really thought of playing darts before, and then I saw him on TV and thought, 'Why not?',” says Alfie in conversation with the BBC. His brother Harry adds: “I saw [Littler] in the world championships and then decided to get a dartboard and then took it up from there. The people you meet and how much I enjoy it... it's been pretty much life-changing I'd say."

The pair now train daily — sometimes up to six hours a day — at the Teignbridge Darts Academy in Newton Abbot, one of seven new academies established across Devon this year.

Darts Boom in the South West

Darts is booming among young players in southern England. The Teignbridge academy alone has tripled its membership in the past year and now coaches 60 kids between the ages of six and eighteen.

“Darts is a big passion of mine," says academy manager Jon Bush. "To see the youth coming through and to see the changes, we're so proud of the venue and so proud of what we have achieved."

New academies have also opened in Brixham, Exeter, Exmouth, Cullompton, Paignton, and Plymouth — evidence of the sport’s growing grassroots momentum. Lucas Hill, the academy’s secretary, started playing himself at age 12. “When I was a youngster I never had anything like this. I started playing darts at the age of 12," he explains. "Now, being able to help out, and see so many kids do something I couldn't do is just so joyful. It makes me so happy."

As for Harry and Alfie, the goal is clear: to one day walk on stage and compete at the highest level — just like their hero, Luke Littler.