Noa-Lynn Van Leuven Vows to Continue Fighting After Transgender Women's Ban from Women's Darts Events

"It's not just about me" - Darts player Noa-Lynn Van Leuven has pledged to keep fighting after the sport's governing body introduced a rule banning transgender women from competing in female tournaments. Van Leuven, 29, has made history in the sport, becoming the first trans woman to play at the World Darts Championship in 2024 and winning six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022. Despite being allowed to continue competing in open tournaments, Van Leuven expressed her disappointment at the decision, stating that she feels forced into retirement. "Apparently, I've been retired - not by choice, but because I'm no longer allowed to compete," Van Leuven said in an Instagram video. "I've worked incredibly hard for years to get to this point. I've shown up, I've competed, and I've respected the sport every step of the way. Now, with one decision, I'm being told I no longer belong. This isn't just about me; it's a significant blow to the trans community." The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) stated that it began reviewing its policies in 2025, including commissioning a report from an academic developmental biologist and considering extensive legal advice. As a result, the DRA has decided that only biological females should be eligible to compete in women's tournaments. Van Leuven, also known as 'The Duchess,' had been working as a chef before pursuing a career in darts. She made a significant impact on the circuit, becoming the first trans woman to play in a TV tournament at the Women's Matchplay in 2023 and winning a Challenger Tour event in 2024. Van Leuven received a largely positive reaction from fellow women's players, including three-time women's world champion Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock. However, some players, including Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf, withdrew from competing against her. The DRA's decision follows a similar ban by the World Darts Federation (WDF) in 2025 and a blanket ban on transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from Olympic women's sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), set to take effect in 2028. Van Leuven referenced these bans in her statement, saying, "This isn't just about me; it's another huge hit for the trans community, especially after recent decisions made by the IOC. Every day, it's becoming harder and harder for trans people to exist and compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn't. We just want to be." Speaking last year, seven-time Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen described the WDF's decision to ban Van Leuven as 'heartbreaking,' stating, "She does what she does, and she can play terrific darts. Let her play nicely. For me, there's never been a discussion, but I don't make the rules." Van Leuven has described some of her female opponents as "toxic" due to their behavior towards her. Former world champion Luke Humphries said she has done nothing wrong, stating, "It's not up to me to say whether it is right or wrong. Whatever opinion I have, it wouldn't matter. I just look at her as a dart player." Humphries expressed sympathy for Van Leuven, who has faced online abuse, saying, "Unfortunately, I think that the world can be a negative place, and people just want to abuse people and bring them down." Van Leuven appreciated the support of her childhood hero Van Gerwen and Humphries, saying, "When I saw the interview with Luke Humphries or MVG, I was like, that's actually pretty nice of them. They don't have to do that, but they did, and I really appreciate that. It feels much warmer. It's a good experience." Ahead of the 2026 Worlds, where she was beaten in the opening round by Peter Wright, Van Leuven said, "I just want to play darts and have fun." In a written message posted on social media, she added, "This isn't the end. I'm just going back to the drawing board. I'm not done fighting."