Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has revealed she was “close to tears” after receiving notification that new Darts Regulation Authority guidelines prevent her competing in women’s events, effectively ending her professional career.
The DRA policy shift—which prohibits transgender women from participating in female competitions—arrives amid broader sporting regulatory changes following International Olympic Committee decisions affecting athletes across multiple disciplines.
Van Leuven expressed devastation on Instagram after learning her competitive career had been terminated through email notification rather than personal choice: “Apparently, I just got retired—not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete.”
The Dutch player, who claimed six PDC Women’s Series titles during her career, characterised the ruling as extending beyond personal impact to represent “another huge hit for the trans community.”
“I have worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up and I competed. I respected the sport every game and every single day,” van Leuven stated. “Now, with just one decision, I am being told I no longer belong.”
She warned the regulatory trend extends beyond individual cases: “If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. We just want to be.”
Van Leuven made history as the first Dutch transgender woman competing at the World Championships in 2024, nicknamed “The Duchess” during her professional tenure.
Her most recent Alexandra Palace appearance occurred last December, where she suffered first-round elimination following a 3-0 defeat to Peter Wright.
The DRA guideline change prevents her future PDC Women’s Series participation, where she had established herself amongst competitive players through her half-dozen tournament victories.
Van Leuven referenced wider sporting governance shifts affecting transgender athletes globally: “Especially after the recent decisions made by the IOC,” she noted, acknowledging international regulatory movements restricting transgender women’s participation in female sporting categories.
The controversy surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports has intensified across multiple disciplines, with governing bodies implementing varying eligibility criteria balancing inclusivity against competitive fairness concerns.
Darts joins sports including athletics, swimming and cycling in establishing regulations preventing transgender women competing in female events, with each organisation citing competitive integrity justifications whilst facing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups arguing such policies discriminate against marginalised communities.
Van Leuven’s career conclusion through regulatory change rather than retirement choice highlights ongoing tensions between sporting governance structures and transgender athlete participation rights.
