Noa-Lynn van Leuven will further cement her name in the history books of darts this weekend.
Van Leuven will become the first transgender player to come up against men in a televised PDC tournament.
The Dutch player will debut at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, November 9 when she comes up against three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in the PDC World Championships group phase.
The 28-year-old secured her spot in the coveted Grand Slam tournament through her ranking in the PDC Women’s Order of Merit and has also qualified for the World Championship in December through her performances in the women’s series.
Here is everything you need to know about Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven will become first transgender darts player to play in the PDC World Championship
The 28-year-old secured her spot in the coveted Grand Slam tournament through her ranking in the PDC Women’s Order of Merit
Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven?
Born on September 27, 1996 in Beverwijk, Netherlands, Noa-Lynn van Leuven is a Dutch darts player and is also a chef de partie at her local restaurant in Heemskerk.
Van Leuven began considering transitioning at the age of 16-years-old. She played darts for nine years prior to transitioning but previously revealed she almost considered giving up the sport due to feeling depressed.
Around the same time she began transitioning in 2022, van Leuven also joined the Women’s Series and in 2023 she made history becoming the first transgender woman to play in a televised darts tournament.
Her journey in the darts world has not been easy however, she has received hate and hostility on the World Darts Federation tour, with one of her opponents Deta Hedman withdrawing from games against her in protest of her involvement.
Speaking about her experience playing against female players van Leuven described some of her opponents as ‘toxic b******’ because of their behaviour.
However world no 1 Luke Humphries has voiced his support for his opponent ahead of the Grand Slam of Darts this weekend.
Telling the media and darts fans that van Leuven has earned her right to throw at the Alexandra Palace this weekend.
He said: ‘Every sport has their rules and she qualifies in the rules. So, as much as it might annoy people, she’s not doing anything that’s illegal, she’s not cheating.
Female darts player Deta Hedman withdrew from her game against the Dutch star in protest
World No 1 Luke Humphries defended van Leuven’s inclusion stating ‘she’s not cheating’
He went on further stating: ‘She’s doing what’s in the rules. If that changes, then things will change. But she’s not doing anything physically wrong.
‘So, no-one can blame her, she’s well within the rights to do what she does at the moment.
‘It’s a hard one, because there are so many different opinions that get thrown around.
‘It’d be nice if people let her get on with it and play. But yeah, I wish her all the best. Hopefully she gets a win and it’s good for her.’
Achievements
Van Leuven made her professional debut at the 2022 PDC Women’s Series, where she displayed an impressive showing, reaching the quarter-finals of both events 13 and 14 of the series.
In 2023, ranked as the 15th seed she reached the semi-finals of the Dutch Open where she would go on to lose to Aileen de Graaf.
Her losses eventually turned into wins as she would go and win the 2023 Denmark Open, beating Russian-born German darts player Irina Armstrong.
She also claimed the top acclaim in March 2024 when she won the PDC Women’s Series.
Van Leuven has won two darts finals, her first was the 2023 Denmark Open before she won the PDC Women’s Series in March 2024
Journey in darts
As mentioned previously van Leuven played darts for nine years prior to her transition.
So after she made the decision to transition and compete as a women, she had to pass transitioning tests in order for her to compete in women’s darts.
Her inclusion as a female darts players is allowed and welcomed by The Darts Regulation Authority, the governing body for the PDC, which state that: ‘Darts is open to all who wish to be involved in any capacity and we encourage all trans and non-binary participants to take part.’
Speaking about her experience, she revealed to Sky Sports that she feels sorrow for trans athletes who are excluded from competing in their sport of choice.
‘I feel devastated by the people that get hit by that.
‘I think it’s tough for transgender people to play sports, especially when people know that you’re trans because you have a big advantage until you prove it’s not.’
