"Surely darts has little to do with physicality?" - Dutch Olympians don't understand controversy surrounding Noa-Lynn van Leuven

Noa-Lynn van Leuven managed to become the first trans woman to ever qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace last weekend. The progress of the Dutchwoman has been stirring up controversy in some corners of the darts world however, and it seems this particular story has now transcended into the wider sporting consciousness.

As such, this has not escaped former Dutch Olympic hockey players Ellen Hoog and Naomi van As. In the latest episode for their podcast'AND Door with Ellen & Naomi' on Sportnieuws.nl, the two ladies of talked about Van Leuven. "I'm going to support her, at that Worlds," says Hoog warmly.

Van Leuven has received a lot of opposition in recent months from some other players who feel she has an advantage as a trans woman over the other ladies. For example, Deta Hedman refuses to play against her anymore and Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf no longer want to play with her for the Dutch national team. "There is no physical difference between men and women in darts, is there?" wondered Hoog. "Then I think, sorry?! Darts has little to do with physicality, right? The difference is in a piece of interest. Little boys go darting, girls don't do it so quickly. We are not talking about athletics or track cycling in which you really have to be physically stronger. This is darts. Anyone can throw a hundred darts like this. I think some of these women see it as a matter of principle."

Van As also does agree with Hoog's words. "If you think logically, you know there are no physical advantages, right? It's an eternal discussion. We have to move with the times a little bit, things just change too."

"There has to be a good look at the rules and for each sport it has to be different. I'm curious to see how that discussion ends. I don't think it should be such a thing," they conclude.