Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been banned from competing in women's tournaments following new regulations introduced by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA). The 29-year-old Dutchwoman, who has won six titles on the Women's Series since joining in 2022, said she felt 'retired' by the decision.
The new policy, effective from Thursday, states that transgender women are no longer eligible to participate in women's events. Van Leuven, who transitioned in 2021, will still be allowed to compete in open PDC events but expressed dismay on Instagram, calling the ruling 'another huge hit for the trans community'.
In her social media post, Van Leuven said: 'I just got an email. Apparently, I just got retired — not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete. I have worked so damn hard for years just to get here. Now, with just one decision, I am being told I no longer belong.'
Van Leuven made history in 2024 as the first transgender woman to play at the PDC World Championship, returning to Alexandra Palace in December. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) stated it would abide by the DRA's regulations, noting that it takes pride in the inclusivity of the sport.
The DRA's review, which included a report from developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton, concluded that 'multiple, small-magnitude sex differences accumulate to generate male advantage over females in darts', leading to the classification of darts as a 'gender-affected sport'.
