Transgender Darts Star Noa-Lynn van Leuven Banned from Women-Only Events
Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent figure in professional darts, has been banned from competing in all women-only events organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) with immediate effect. This decisive action follows a ruling from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), which now restricts participation in women's tournaments to biological females only.
DRA Report Determines Darts as 'Gender-Affected Sport'
The DRA commissioned a report from Dr Emma Hilton, an academic developmental biologist specialising in sex and categories in sport. The report concluded that darts is a 'gender-affected sport', highlighting multiple physical differences that provide males with a competitive edge over female players. According to the findings, advantages such as greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, increased muscle mass, and stiffer tendons enhance reach, stability, and throwing mechanics, ultimately affecting consistency and precision in the game.
In a statement, the DRA emphasised that this move aims to 'achieve fair competition in darts'. As a result, van Leuven, who has won six titles in the PDC Women's Series, is no longer eligible to participate in these events. Additionally, she will be prevented from competing in the Women's World Matchplay, an event she was on track to qualify for this summer.
Van Leuven's Emotional Response and Broader Implications
Van Leuven, aged 29, expressed her dismay on social media, revealing that she received the news via email. In an Instagram post, she stated, 'I just got retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete.' She lamented the years of hard work and dedication she invested in the sport, only to be excluded by a single decision. Van Leuven also highlighted the broader impact on the transgender community, noting that this ruling follows recent decisions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban transgender women from the female category in events starting with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
She added, 'This isn't just about me, it is another huge hit for the trans community. Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn't. We just want to be.'
Alternative Pathways and Current Landscape in Professional Darts
Despite the ban, van Leuven could still pursue a career at the highest level of darts, as the PDC's professional tour remains open to all players. Currently, Beau Greaves is the sole female competitor on the tour, while former women's world champion Lisa Ashton previously held a two-year professional tour card in 2020 and 2021. This ruling underscores ongoing debates about inclusivity and fairness in sports, particularly as regulatory bodies grapple with balancing competitive integrity with diversity.
The decision by the DRA reflects a growing trend in sports governance to reassess participation criteria based on biological sex, potentially influencing future policies across various athletic disciplines.
