PDC CEO on Van Leuven's participation in Women's World Matchplay: "She has qualified by right"

Yesterday, the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay was played. The overall win went to Beau Greaves, who defeated Mikuru Suzuki 6-1 in the final.

Noa-Lynn van Leuven was the first trans woman ever to play at a major darting event, losing 4-0 to Greaves in the first round. "It's another milestone in PDC history and another milestone in darts," said PDC CEO Matt Porter. "Noa-Lynn has qualified by right. Our governing body, the DRA has a transgender diversity policy that she more than complies with and has done for some time."

On the PDC's rules regarfing trans players Porter explains how the decisions are made. "The DRA is our governing body, they follow the guidelines of the IOC. There's an attestation made by a medical professional about testosterone levels. There's various other technicalities regarding identity but as I say Noa-Lyn is more than compliant."

This was the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay and Porter looks back with satisfaction. "It was inevitable that after a few years of the PDC Women's Series, this would happen. And we're careful in the PDC, we don't call this a men's game, it's an overall game. It just so happens it's not had female competitors at the top level that regularly. That may be about to change."