A NEW darts club in Llandudno aimed at young people is going from strength to strength and helping teenagers improve their team building and maths skills, while also giving them a warm place to go to three evenings a week. Welly’s Darts Club is based in Ty Llywelyn, next to Llandudno Hospital and launched in September 2025. The Tre Cwm area, where the club plays, is one of the most deprived in Wales. In the four months since launching, the club has expanded to run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and now attracts up to 30 young people each session from across the area, all aiming to be Llandudno’s answer to Luke Littler. In total, 100 young people are now signed up as part of the club.
The club is run by Youth Officer, Andy Sturdy and his wife Wendy and a team of eight dedicated volunteers, including local councillor Angie O’Grady. Each young person attending pays £1 to play, which also helps buy competition prizes for monthly Saturday tournaments they hold, as well as food and drink that’s given out for free to those attending. Players are given a warm greeting on the door by volunteer Natalie, and there’s also a tuck shop run by local resident and volunteer Daisy, which is very popular with the young people and where they can buy extra treats if they wish.
While many youngsters attending the club are from the immediate area, the club is open to all young people who want to play darts. Some travel from Old Colwyn, Colwyn Heights and Llandudno Junction to play, as there are no other similar clubs in the area.
On January 26, Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and local PCSO Pam Hayers visited the club to see the work underway and to meet the organisers. They heard how the club is helping to reduce boredom and lack of opportunity among young people in the area and therefore helping to reduce any antisocial behaviour that could be caused by young people hanging around on the streets. The PCC was struck by the positive atmosphere at the club and how all the young people were enthusiastic about the club and the opportunities it has given them since launching.
One player, Alfie, who’s won two of three tournaments at the club so far, said: “It’s a great atmosphere at Welly’s Darts Club and they’re a great bunch of people. It’s great to play with new people and to see them develop as players.”
Another player, Finn, said: “Every month we have a darts competition and it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it just helps you get better at darts and you get the chance to win medals.”
Shay added: “It’s really entertaining. I didn’t know people at the start but I’ve got to meet new people and it keeps us off the streets and not hanging around and we get to do something we enjoy.
“It’s helped my maths and I enjoy working together with the others.”
Macauley commented: “The staff are really friendly and it really helps with teamwork. Playing darts is really improving my maths in school.”
Andy Sturdy commented: “We’ve been delighted by the success of the club so far and the young people are really enjoying it. What we would love is for more professional and experienced darts players to come along and give a demonstration to the youngsters, they would really enjoy that.
“We’d also love to see sponsorship of our tournaments, or our dartboards when they need replacing. We’re a growing and thriving club and I know the young people really benefit from coming along.”
PCC Andy Dunbobbin said: “I was delighted to visit Welly’s Darts Club. The young people were impeccable and it was a joy to see them getting along as a large group and playing a game they clearly love.
“It’s also important to recognise how vital these types of activities are for giving young people something to do on a cold winter’s evening, keeping them off the streets and out of any potential trouble, and giving them some much needed food and drink if needed.
“I wish them every success and I definitely saw a few budding Luke Littlers on my visit!”
For more information about joining Welly’s Darts Club email: [email protected] or visit the Wormhout Community Hub, Ty Llywelyn webpage.
