Trans Women Barred from Female Darts Competitions

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced a new policy, stating that only athletes assigned female at birth can participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision follows a thorough review of the Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included a report by a developmental biologist and took into account recent UK court rulings and extensive legal advice. The DRA believes this change is necessary to ensure fair competition in the sport. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent transgender darts player, has expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision, calling it a significant setback for the trans community. Van Leuven has won six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022 and will no longer be eligible to compete in women's events. However, transgender players will still be allowed to participate in open tournaments. The DRA has stated that it aims to be inclusive and will continue to monitor developments in relation to transgender participation in sports, reviewing its Eligibility Policy annually or as needed.