LONDON (AP) 鈥� A transgender darts player said she’s 鈥渘ot done fighting鈥� after the sport’s governing body enacted rules barring transgender women from women鈥檚 tournaments.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven of the Netherlands spoke out Thursday when the Darts Regulation Authority’s new policy took effect.
“Apparently, I just got retired 鈥� not by choice, but because I鈥檓 no longer allowed to compete,鈥� Van Leuven said in a video on her Instagram account.
The 29-year-old van Leuven had competed in the Women’s Series of the Professional Darts Corporation. In 2024, she became the first transgender woman to play at the PDC World Darts Championship.
鈥淚鈥檝e worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed. I respected the sport every game, every single day,鈥� van Leuven said. 鈥淎nd now, with just one decision, I鈥檓 being told I don鈥檛 belong anymore. This isn鈥檛 just about me. This is another huge hit for the trans community.鈥�
She will still be eligible for open PDC events.
It’s not clear what van Leuven’s legal options are, but in a written message with the video she added: 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 the end. I鈥檓 just going back to the drawing board. I鈥檓 not done fighting.鈥�
The Thursday that it began a review of its policies in 2025. It included commissioning a report from 鈥渁n academic developmental biologist who has published several papers on sex and categories in sport. The DRA has also considered extensive legal advice.鈥�
鈥淎s 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鈥檚 tournaments regulated by DRA Rules,鈥� it said.
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