In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the first openly transgender darts player to compete in a televised Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event, has been barred from women’s tournaments by the World Darts Federation (WDF) under a new gender eligibility policy. The ruling, effective July 28, 2025, restricts participation in WDF women’s and girls’ tournaments to players assigned female at birth, effectively ending van Leuven’s ability to compete in these events. The 28-year-old Dutch star, who reached the semifinals of the Women’s World Matchplay just days before the announcement, shared an emotional statement on social media, expressing her pain and resolve to continue her career despite the setback.
“This past Monday, the WDF released a new policy regarding gender eligibility. I want to take a moment to respond,” van Leuven wrote on Instagram. “This decision does affect me personally — though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts. Once again, it’s a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart.” Her words capture the personal toll of the WDF’s decision, which follows a vote by the majority of its member countries during a September 2024 General Meeting. The policy shift, described by the WDF as a response to “significant changes in scientific understanding, legislation, or the preferences of member nations,” has sparked intense debate within the darts community and beyond.
Van Leuven, a chef de partie by trade, has faced significant adversity in her journey as a trans athlete. Since transitioning, she has endured protests, harassment, and even death threats, including an incident at the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool, where three anti-trans protesters were removed for attempting to disrupt her match. “I’m not scared to play in the WDF, but I’m not comfortable,” she admitted in a December 2024 interview. “Every time I play a tournament in the WDF, something happens against me.” Despite these challenges, van Leuven’s passion for darts remains unshaken. “I love this game too much, why would I let anyone else ruin my passion for darts?” she declared, showcasing her defiance in the face of exclusion.
The WDF’s decision has not impacted van Leuven’s ability to compete in PDC events, which operate under a more inclusive policy. PDC chief executive Matt Porter has defended the organization’s stance, stating, “Ultimately, we came up with a policy that we believe to be fair.” Van Leuven, ranked fourth in the PDC Women’s Order of Merit, has achieved remarkable success, including six PDC Women’s Series titles and a historic debut at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, where she became the first trans woman to compete at Alexandra Palace. Her 109.64 average in a Women’s Series final against Beau Greaves set a record, underscoring her skill in a sport where physical attributes play a minimal role.
The ruling has drawn criticism for its lack of scientific grounding, as no evidence suggests trans women have a competitive advantage in darts, a game reliant on precision and mental focus rather than physical strength. Van Leuven emphasized the broader implications, stating, “As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is — not just on paper, but in practice. It’s disheartening to see yet another policy framed around ‘fairness’ that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels.” Her words resonate with other trans athletes facing similar barriers, as she extended solidarity: “My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this. We remain visible. We keep going.”
Van Leuven’s journey began at age nine, introduced to darts by her parents, and resumed after a hiatus following her transition at 16. Supported by her family and PDC stars like Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, she continues to compete in the PDC’s open category and women’s events. Her resilience shines through as she prepares for the 2025 WDF World Masters in the men’s field, undeterred by the WDF’s exclusionary policy. The darts community remains divided, with figures like Deta Hedman and former Dutch teammates Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf opposing her inclusion, while others champion her right to compete. As van Leuven presses forward, her story highlights the ongoing struggle for trans inclusion in sports, a fight she vows to continue with unwavering determination.
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