VAN LEUVEN BANNED FROM WDF TOURNAMENTS

NOA-LYNN VAN LEUVEN will no longer be able to compete in women’s tournaments under the World Darts Federation. 

This follows an update in the organisation’s eligibility rules on transgender participation in events. 

The decision was made on Monday after a vote by WDF members. 

A WDF General Meeting in September 2024 saw a remit put forward calling for the organisation to restrict participation in women’s tournaments to only players who are female by birth. 

It means transgender women, such as Van Leuven, can only compete in the Open Category – which includes male players – under the organisation. 

A WDF statement on the change 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. 

“The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly.” 

This change will not affect the Dutch stars – or other transgender darts players – participation in competitions under the Professional Darts Corporation. 

Dutch thrower Van Leuven broke new ground last year as she qualified for the World Darts Championship, but was eliminated in the first round by compatriot Kevin Doets. 

The 28-year-old also featured in the Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool last week, reaching the semi-final before losing to Fallon Sherrock. 

‘The Duchess’ is currently ranked 4th in the PDC Women’s Order of Merit, with the top three stars eligible to qualify for the WDC and top rank qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts. 

Ahead of last year’s Ally Pally tournament, Van Leuven revealed she received sickening death threats every day, leading to her struggling with her mental health as she was forced to deal with “old traumas”. 

47-times major winner Michael van Gerwen came out in support of his darts rival before they faced off in the Grand Slam of Darts last year. 

He said: “It’s just heartbreaking. 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. 

“Everyone has an opinion about it, but there is no point at all in continuing to argue.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.