The 77th edition of the SJA British Sports Awards – the longest-established awards of their kind in Britain – will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025; for the second consecutive year, the Awards will be announced live on Sky Sports News; SJA members voted to decide the big three prizes on offer; our SJA Academy members made their cases for the awards…
By DICKEN RICHARDS
Many people have diets of kebabs and pizza. Many people have dreams of becoming a sporting great. But not many people believe it’s possible to do both.
Or, rather, they didn’t until one teenager changed their minds.
Luke Littler.
The cheeky grin, his candidness and his modest age just add to his aura which is hard not to like.
It’s hard to argue what this young man has done to the world of darts. He’s already a household name, which is no mean feat for life on the oche.
Littler became the youngest PDC World champion at 17 years and 347 days, defeating Michael van Gerwen in a year that went strength to strength.
The 18-year-old went on to win the World Match Play, The UK Open, the Grand Slam of Darts among many others, achieving the Triple Crown in darts in just his second full season.
If there was ever a time to get behind Littler, it was the semi-final of the World Match Play in Blackpool. He showed his resilience, proving evidently that even in adversity he can produce that luminous fireball that his nickname suggests.
Coming from 5-0 and 6-1 down, Littler put on a spectacular leg with Josh Rock, hitting a nine-darter which galvanised a monumental explosion to reach the final, which was hailed as one of the greatest Match Play semi-finals ever, winning 17-14.
Littler really hit the bullseye among fans, crossing over sports to parade his honours both in Warrington and at Old Trafford.
Standing ovations and chants from the crowd, something that is not easy in your chosen sport, let alone others.
In February, he was made an honorary citizen in his hometown Warrington, and Warrington Wolves’ home stadium was renamed – albeit only for a day – The Luke Littler Stadium.
Darts – the working man’s game – a game played in ordinary working men’s clubs and pubs up and down the country.
A sport that has proven you don’t need privilege to accomplish your dream, just authenticity and love for what you do.
Sport isn’t just about achieving greatness; sport is giving fans hope and belief.
The Littler effect has done that. And he’s done it by not only being great, but also by being himself.
Dicken Richards is a member of the SJA Academy for media professionals starting their careers. Click here to join.