John Jones, from Mold, founded Ace of Sports a decade ago, after an injury put an end to his own football career.

Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength offering a range of sessions to young people across north Wales and beyond.

It has also become well-known for its huge darts events - which have featured the likes of Michael Van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Luke Humphries.

In 2024, Ace of Sports grew to the point where John was able to open his very own sports academy in his hometown of Mold.

He has just recently confirmed that the business is expanding with another state-of-the art football pitch currently being built at the Bromfield Industrial Estate site.

And, as if that wasn't enough, there has been some even more exciting news from Ace of Sports this week with the confirmation of a darts academy.

John and Ace of Sports have teamed up with Target darts to set up the academy, with darts icon Phil 'The Power' Taylor acting as ambassador for it.

A 16-time world champion, Taylor won an incredible 87 major titles during an so far unprecedented career in the sport.

In November, the 66-year-old will be coming out of retirement to play alongside Adrian Lewis at the MODUS Super Series International Pairs tournament in Portsmouth from November 23 to 28.

Phil was at the Ace of Sports facility in Mold last week and he spoke to The Leader about what people can expect from the darts adacemy, which is expected to be completed ahead of Christmas.

He said: "I met John in Blackpool a few years ago and we just became very good friends. He's a lovely fella, whose heart is in the right place and I like his enthusiasm and his business sense. I'm involved because I know he will do things right."

Talking about how darts has grown in popularity down the years, Phil added: "Players started when I played, maybe from their 20's into their 70's, but now you're getting kids playing at four to eight years old, it's changed 100% now."

Asked about the importance of setting up a darts academy in an area like north Wales, he added: "It's brilliant. Children struggle to go out at night now, it's not as safe as it used to be when I was a kid.

"So they can come here, their parents can come here, there's a little gym the parents can use. They can meet people, make new friends, enjoy it and learn how to play darts.

"And if they're good, they can go out there and earn a really, really, really good living in the future."

Phil, who says he will be returning to the Ace of Sports facility on a regular basis to help young players out in his role as ambassador, added: "There will be coaches here showing them how to play, giving them little tips on how to practice. I'll be coming here regularly to have a little chat and watch them play.

"And it won't be the only Phil Taylor academy. We're going to open a few more, so it's a really good thing for the future."

The Ace of Sports darts area will be built on a new upper floor of the current facility, which already houses two indoor football pitches and a mini gym area.

The darts academy will be located on a new floor above this indoor football pitch ...

John says that the facility will be up and running before Christmas.

He added: "We've signed a long term deal with Target who are, in my opinion, the biggest darts manufacturer in the world. The reason we've done that is so we can open this state-of-the-art darts academy right here to bring the next generation of darts players through.

"For us to be able to do that on a unique level, we had to bring in the best player of all time (Phil Taylor) to help us do that.

Ace of Sports founder John Jones. (Image: Newsquest)

"It's going to be free and gives kids the chance to go somewhere they can be safe and come and play darts. Phil is going to be coming down regularly and for them to have someone to look up to like that is special."

"You won't get a better incentive to play darts than that."