Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been banned from competing in women-only darts events following a ruling by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) that only biological females may participate. The decision, effective immediately, bars the transgender player from the Professional Darts Corporation's (PDC) Women's Series and the Women's World Matchplay.
The DRA commissioned a report from Dr Emma Hilton, an academic developmental biologist, which concluded that darts is a 'gender-affected sport' and that 'multiple physical differences' give males an advantage over female players. These include greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, more muscle mass, and stiffer tendons, which enhance reach, stability, and throwing mechanics.
Van Leuven, 29, has won six titles on the PDC Women's Series and was on course to qualify for the Women's World Matchplay this summer. In an Instagram post, she said she had been 'retired' by the decision, stating: 'I just got an email... I am being told I no longer belong.' She added that the ruling is 'another huge hit for the trans community' following recent decisions by the International Olympic Committee.
The ban aligns with the IOC's move last month to exclude transgender women from the female category at events starting with the 2028 Olympic Games. Van Leuven may still compete in the PDC's professional tour, which is open to all players, but currently only one female player, Beau Greaves, participates at that level.
