“With just one decision I’m being told I don’t belong anymore. This is a huge hit for the trans community”
BY DAISY DEMPSEY, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@NOALYNN180)
Six-time winner of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Women’s Series, Noa-Lynn van Leuvan, has condemned new regulations from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) barring trans players from competing in women’s tournaments. Van Leuven took to her Instagram on 10 April, citing the decision as a “huge hit for the trans community.”
Last week, following a review of its Trans And Gender Diverse Policy, the DRA concluded that “to achieve fair competition in darts, only biological females should be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments.”
Van Leuven shared her dismay at their decision: “I’ve worked so damn hard for years just to get here. With just one decision I’m being told I don’t belong anymore.”
Since her debut in 2022, the 29-year-old has won six titles in the PDC women’s circuit and was the first trans woman to compete at the World Dart Championships in 2024.
In a report commissioned by the DRA, developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton concluded that “darts is a ‘gender-affected sport’ within Section 195 of the Equality Act (2010)”.
On the ban, the DRA emphasised trans women are still able to compete in other open PDC events. The DRA said: “The DRA seeks to be inclusive and all players – irrespective of their biological sex, legal sex, and/or gender identity – may compete in open tournaments and are encouraged to do so.”
It’s a ruling that closely follows a slew of legislation restricting trans women from competing in female categories. The World Athletics, British Cycling, England and Wales Cricket Board, Football Association, England Netball, England Hockey, the Rugby Football Union, and British Rowing all have bans in place.
The International Olympic Committee announced last month that they would be reinstating a ban on trans athletes and many intersex athletes who have experienced male puberty from competing in female events at all future Olympic Games.
“Every day it’s getting harder and harder for trans people just to exist, to compete,” says van Leuven. “If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be.”
She is committed to fighting back. “I’m not finished with this game,” she added. “I’m not done fighting.”
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