Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been banned from competing in women-only darts events with immediate effect, following a ruling by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) that only biological females may participate. The decision bars her from the Professional Darts Corporation's Women's Series, where she has won six titles, and the Women's World Matchplay, for which she was qualifying.
The DRA commissioned a report from Dr Emma Hilton, an academic developmental biologist, which concluded that darts is a 'gender-affected sport'. The report cited 'multiple physical differences' providing males with an advantage, including greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, more muscle mass, and stiffer tendons, affecting reach, stability, and throwing mechanics.
Van Leuven responded on Instagram, stating she had been 'retired' by the decision. 'I just got an email... Apparently, I just got retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete,' she wrote. She expressed frustration at the ruling, calling it 'another huge hit for the trans community' following similar decisions by the International Olympic Committee.
Despite the ban, Van Leuven can still compete in the PDC's open professional tour. Beau Greaves is currently the only female player on that tour, while former women's world champion Lisa Ashton held a two-year tour card in 2020-2021.
