“It brings back memories of my childhood... people not accepting me for who or what I am” – Old traumas flare up for Noa-Lynn van Leuven after painful PDC decision

Noa-Lynn van Leuven has, for the first time, spoken at length about the recent PDC decision to exclude transgender women from women’s darts events. The Dutch player discusses the impact and says the choice has brought certain childhood traumas back to the surface.

Due to new rules from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), Van Leuven is no longer allowed to compete in the Women’s Series.

The organization commissioned an external report and then decided to exclude transgender women from women’s tournaments. That report stated that small biological differences can lead to an advantage in the sport.

For the 29-year-old, the news came like a bolt from the blue. One day before the decision was made public, she received an email with the news. “It has changed everything,” she told Press Association.

Van Leuven acknowledges the decision has had a major effect on her. Old feelings from her youth resurfaced because of it. “It brings back memories of my childhood, of people who didn’t accept me for who or what I am. It happened in high school, in kindergarten… it kept coming back.”

Although the past few weeks have been tough, she refuses to be beaten by the situation. “It feels like something happens every year. And every time I climb out of that deep hole I’ve been pushed into, I come back,” she says with fighting spirit.

The biggest irritation for Van Leuven is the federation’s reasoning. In her view, gender does not play a decisive role. “I simply don’t believe darts is a gender-influenced sport. If you say men have an advantage because they’re taller or have longer arms, just look at the greatest champions.”

By those champions, she cites examples such as Phil Taylor and Luke Littler. “Neither is taller than 1.80 meters. So I just don’t get it.”

While disappointment currently prevails for Van Leuven, she is definitely not giving up. She will keep focusing on her development and ultimately hopes to earn a PDC Tour Card. “I just want to try to enjoy the game again. I want to improve myself this year and hopefully get a Tour Card next year,” she says ambitiously. Still, the loss is significant. “All my goals for this year are gone. That hurts.”