Transgender darts player blasts DRA women's eligibility rule
The Darts Regulation Authority announced a policy on Thursday prohibiting biological males from women's competitions to ensure fair play. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a transgender player from the Netherlands, criticized the decision in an Instagram video. "Apparently, I just got retired, not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete," she said.
Van Leuven described her dedication to the sport: "I’ve worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed. I respected the sport every game, every single day. And now, with just one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong anymore. This isn’t just about me. This is another huge hit for the trans community."
The player, who competed in the Professional Darts Corporation Women's Series and became the first transgender athlete in its World Darts Championship women's event in 2024, vowed to continue: "This isn’t the end. I’m just going back to the drawing board. I’m not done fighting."
The DRA began reviewing its policies in 2025, commissioning a report from an academic developmental biologist who has published on sex categories in sport and obtaining extensive legal advice. "As a result of its review, the DRA is satisfied that to achieve fair competition in darts, only biological females should be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments regulated by DRA Rules," the authority stated.
