Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced a new policy that restricts participation in women's darts tournaments to athletes who were assigned female at birth. This decision follows a thorough review of the organization's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included an expert report by a developmental biologist and took into account extensive legal advice and recent court rulings in the UK. As a result, the DRA has concluded that only biological females should be eligible to participate in women's tournaments to ensure fair competition. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a 29-year-old transgender woman who has won six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022, has strongly criticized the decision, calling it a significant setback for the trans community. Van Leuven, the first transgender woman to compete in the World Championships in 2024, will no longer be allowed to participate in women's events, but transgender players will still be able to compete in open tournaments. The DRA has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, stating that all players, regardless of their biological sex, legal sex, or gender identity, are welcome to participate in open tournaments. The organization will continue to monitor developments related to transgender participation in sports and review its Eligibility Policy annually. A report commissioned by the DRA in 2025 found that darts is a 'gender-affected sport' and identified multiple physical differences that contribute to superior scoring among male darts players. Van Leuven expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision in a video on Instagram, stating that she has worked hard to compete and respect the sport, but is now being told she no longer belongs.