Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the 29-year-old Dutch darts sensation known affectionately as ‘The Duchess’, has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster triggered by her exclusion from women’s competitions under the World Darts Federation. Once a trailblazer who captured multiple titles and etched her name into the sport’s history as the first openly transgender player to compete at the highest levels, she now finds herself navigating a dramatically altered landscape. Yet far from signaling the end of her journey, this chapter has reignited a fierce determination within her to evolve and thrive.
The turning point arrived last July when the WDF implemented a new eligibility policy, voted on during the Europe Cup in Slovakia the previous year. This regulation bars transgender athletes from women’s events, redirecting them exclusively to open categories where players of any gender can compete side by side. For van Leuven, who had risen through the ranks with remarkable skill—securing six PDC Women’s Series titles over the past two seasons and earning spots on the international stage—the announcement brought a wave of uncertainty. She had sensed the change looming but remained in the dark about its exact timing and scope.
“It was back in July when I knew about this new ruling coming up; they voted for it in the Europe Cup in Slovakia,” she recalled. “I knew it was coming but I didn’t know when or how. I didn’t even know when I was allowed to play anymore in the women’s game. I was like, what am I going to do with my career now? Am I just going to stick to the PDC or am I going to try other things? Back then I was allowed to play with the women in that period. But I wasn’t allowed to play in the open. I just didn’t know what to do. When the ruling came out, I was like, at least it was clear now.”
In those early days of limbo, van Leuven admits she briefly questioned whether her professional path in darts had reached a dead end. The clarity that eventually followed, however, flipped the script entirely. Instead of defeat, she discovered fresh motivation to sharpen her game and prove her prowess in the open divisions. “It does motivate me to become a better player again,” she explained with renewed energy. “It is weird to not be able to play the women anymore in the WDF. But I can within the PDC. In the end, I am playing in the Dutch tournaments now in the open ranking and I quite enjoy myself in those. I actually want to give it a shot now to play in the open and maybe some WDF tournaments.”
This shift has not dimmed her passion for the sport that has defined much of her life. Van Leuven reflected on her deep connection to darts, noting how it has pulled her back time and again despite personal challenges. “I just enjoy the game of darts too much. I keep coming back to it. I played in the youth and then I took a few years off regarding my transition as well. Now I just can’t stay away from the game,” she shared. Her resilience shines through even after a demanding 2025 that included limited tournament play, a mental health break ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship, and the sting of online abuse. At Ally Pally in December, she faced a tough 3-0 first-round exit against two-time world champion Peter Wright, yet she emerged with positive memories. “I actually enjoyed myself on that stage playing Peter. He was really kind on the stage and behind it. I think the crowd was amazing as well. I didn’t really bring my A-game, but I didn’t play much darts last year.”
Today, van Leuven channels that experience into steady progress. She continues competing successfully on the PDC circuit, where she remains eligible, and has set her sights on bigger ambitions. With only one win on the main PDC stage so far, she is honing her skills with an eye toward earning a coveted Tour Card next year. “The last year has been rough. I have not played many games or tournaments. I played the women’s series and that was about it. This year I want to keep improving and I see my game improving again. Hopefully I can actually aim for a Tour Card next year,” she said optimistically.
Adding to her momentum, van Leuven has qualified once more for the Dutch national team—this time in the open category—for the upcoming Four Nations Cup, set to begin in just a couple of weeks. The achievement carries special weight amid the year’s regulatory shifts. “Proud is honestly an understatement right now,” she posted on Instagram upon the announcement. “I’ve officially qualified again for the Dutch team, and this time in the open category. With all the new rules and changes this year, it definitely wasn’t a given… which makes this one feel even more special.”
Beyond the competitive fire, van Leuven has also spoken warmly about fellow players who have inspired her, including the dominant Beau Greaves on the women’s circuit. “She is quite annoying with how she is playing right now,” van Leuven joked lightheartedly. “I enjoy playing games against Beau; she always brings the best out of me in games. Sometimes she beats me 4-0, but sometimes it is a really close game. I really enjoy playing her and seeing what she can do. I think it’s really great what she is doing on the ProTour right now.”
As van Leuven steps forward into this new era of her career, her story underscores the complexities of elite sports while highlighting an unyielding love for the game. The ban may have closed one door, but it has flung open others, pushing her to refine her technique, embrace open competition, and chase new milestones. With the Four Nations Cup on the horizon and long-term goals firmly in view, ‘The Duchess’ appears more committed than ever to darting excellence—proving that setbacks, even profound ones, can fuel extraordinary comebacks in a sport that rewards precision, heart, and perseverance. Her journey continues to captivate fans, reminding everyone that passion for darts knows no boundaries when the drive to improve burns bright.
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