Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Darts
Luke Davies
Darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has spoken out after being banned from participating in women’s tournaments by the World Darts Federation (WDF).
Van Leuven, 28, is the first openly transgender darts player but will now only be allowed to compete in ‘open’ categories rather than female competition under the WDF’s rules.
However, the 28-year-old is currently still eligible to play in tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
This comes after the WDF changed its gender eligibility rules on Monday following a vote by members.
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A spokesperson for the WDF said: “Effective Monday, 28 July 2025, entry and participation in WDF Women’s and Girls Ranking Tournaments and Cups will only be open to players that are WOMEN/FEMALE as defined under this policy.
“Accordingly, WDF Tournaments, Cups and Ranking Tables will be renamed and redefined as ‘Open’, ‘Women’, ‘Open Youth’ and ‘Girls’ tournaments and cups.
“We understand these changes may be challenging for people who want to compete in darts in the gender which they are now registered as.
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“The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly.”
Van Leuven was the first transgender player to qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship in 2024 and received abuse on social media during the tournament.
She cited “mental health” as why she took a break from the sport earlier this year.
Since the WDF’s ruling, Van Leuven issued a response via Instagram.
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"This past Monday, the WDF (World Darts Federation) released a new policy regarding gender eligibility,” she wrote on Wednesday.
“I want to take a moment to respond. This decision does affect me personally — though, thankfully, not too severely at this point in time. But still, it hurts. Once again, it’s a loss for the trans community in sports.
“And that breaks my heart.
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“As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is — not just on paper, but in practice. It’s disheartening to see yet another policy framed around “fairness” that ultimately results in exclusion, without truly considering the people behind the labels.
“My heart goes out to all the athletes impacted by this.
“We remain visible. We keep going."
Van Gerwen, 36, spoke out about the treatment received by Van Leuven back in November 2024.
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“It’s just heartbreaking,” Van Gerwen said last year. “She does what she does and she can play terrific darts.
“Let her play nice. For me, there’s never been a discussion, but I don’t make the rules. The PDC has people who go over them.
“They can never make the right choice anyway. If they go left, people say they should go right and vice versa.”