Emotional Noa-Lynn van Leuven “retired” by new DRA trans ruling

Noa-Lynn van Leuven claims she has been “retired” by the new DRA ruling over transgender participants in PDC events.

The DRA issued a new Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women’s tournaments on Thursday, ruling that transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s events.

The ruling follows on from the recent changes to the International Olympic Committee guidelines, banning transgender women and those with specific sex development variations from competing in the female category.

The DRA began a review of its Trans and Gender Diverse Policy last year, which included commissioning a report from Dr Emma Hilton – an academic developmental biologist who has published several papers on sex and categories in sport.

The DRA has also considered extensive legal advice and took into consideration the judgement of the UK Supreme Court on April 16, 2025 in the For Women Scotland case and the subsequent case of Harriet Haynes and the English Blackball Pool Federation in August 2025.

Relevant key findings by Dr Hilton concluded that: “Multiple, small-magnitude sex differences accumulate to generate male advantage over females in darts,” leading to her expert scientific opinion that “darts is a “gender-affected sport” within Section 195 of the Equality Act (2010).

As a result of its review, the DRA was ‘satisfied that to achieve fair competition in darts, only biological females should be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments regulated by DRA Rules.’

A distraught Van Leuven took to Instagram to post a video upon learning of the ruling.

“I just got an email. Apparently, I just got retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete,” said a tearful Van Leuven.

“The DRA has just decided that trans women are no longer allowed in women’s events, which basically means I am out.

“I have worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up and I competed. I respected the sport every game and every single day. Now, with just one decision, I am being told I no longer belong.

“This isn’t just about me, it is another huge hit for the trans community. Especially after the recent decisions made by the IOC.

“Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be.”

Van Leuven is now unable to compete in the PDC Women’s Series, having racked up six titles to date, and will be ineligible for the Women’s World Matchplay.

The 29-year-old, who has featured in the last two PDC World Championships, can still qualify for Ally Pally via open competitions.

However, it remains unclear as to whether she intends to continue playing following Thursday’s landmark ruling.