Earlier this year Michael Smith from St Helens, hit the headlines after winning the PDC World Darts Championship title at London’s Alexandra Palace, a title he clinched thanks to his daily training at one of the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s parish centres - St Anne and Blessed Dominic in Sutton.
Michael’s mum Sandra Woods has been the manager of the centre since 2011, and when he is not away competing, Michael can be found at the centre training.
He said: “I come here when the club is closed to practice, I do the school run and then train for about four hours a day before picking my two boys up on the way home. I don’t have a dart board at home as I want to keep work and home separate, so the club is where I do all of my training.”
Since the win, proud mum Sandra has been displaying the trophy in the club, allowing local people and sports fans to see it.
Sandra said: “It’s such a great opportunity for local people to come and see the trophy, we have had lots of interest and it’s lovely to see so many people, including children coming through the doors to see it.
“I am so proud of Michael, but I’m proud of all of my children and it’s not just the darts that makes me proud of him. During Covid he donated thousands of pounds worth of food to nurses at St Helens and Whiston Hospital and I’m incredibly proud of that.”
Due to her work commitments at the centre, Sandra doesn’t go to watch Michael play live, but watches the matches on TV at the centre. She added: “When Michael won the world championship, the club was packed with family, friends and regular customers - it was a great atmosphere. However, it cost me £150 as I bought everyone a drink when he won!!”
It is no surprise that the club has two darts teams who meet weekly. Sandra said: “We have lots of activities on at the centre including darts, dominoes teams, chess club, snooker teams, pensioner bingo and baby sensory classes. The Police hold a drop in clinic for local people to help them feel safe in their community. We host functions from funerals and weddings to birthdays, christenings and children’s parties.
“The centre also is a warm and cosy hub every Tuesday between 1-3.30pm welcoming anyone to come to spend time at the parish centre to keep warm and make new friends in a safe space.
“We are proud to be a hub of the community and I love seeing people benefit from the centre. There is a young boy from Ukraine who comes along to our chess club and it is so lovely to see him settling into a new community and getting involved in something he loves doing.”
Family is at the heart of St Anne and Blessed Dominic’s, Sandra who has worked for the archdiocese for 25 years, started work at Our Lady’s club in St Helens before it closed as her two brothers were the manager and assistant manager and her sister managed St Joseph’s club. Sandra started as a cleaner then as bar staff before working her way to management. Sandra’s partner Ian is the assistant manager at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, daughter Claire is bar staff and Michael has made a few rare appearances behind the bar to help his mum out.
Michael’s trophy is on display at the club at selected times, please keep posted to their Facebook page for updates: St. Anne's Social Club | Saint Helens | Facebook
