"The best should participate in the Worlds regardless of whether you are a woman, a man or one of those other letters" - Vincent van der Voort on Van Leuven at Ally Pally

Noa-Lynn van Leuven recently became the first trans woman to qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace. Fellow dart player Vincent van der Voort, however, takes issue with the fact that places are reserved for women at the Ally Pally.

Van der Voort finds it especially unfortunate that a separate ranking will be made for the women (via the Women's Series) and that this will automatically allow the top ladies to participate at the World Championship. "It may be a historic moment that Noa-Lynn qualified, but I keep finding it all difficult. As an athlete, I just find it hard that women compete in the Worlds. Not because they are not allowed to participate, but they have to participate according to the rules," Van der Voort said in the podcast 'Darts Draait Door'.

"But now the women are getting spots. Take Lisa Ashton for example. She got a Tour Card based on the rules that apply to everyone," continues the Dutchman, who is himself looks set to have to go to the last chance qualifier for a spot at the Ally Pally. "As an athlete, I find that difficult."

"If women, youth players and darts players from exotic countries participate because it brings in more money and is commercially more interesting, then I understand that too. But if you ask me as an athlete, then the best should participate in the World Championship, regardless of whether you are a woman, a man or one of those other letters (LGBTQ+)," adds the 48-year-old.

Van der Voort also notes how he expects Van Leuven to get the warmest of receptions from the notoriously vociferous Alexandra Palace crowd. "That will be tough for her", predicts Van der Voort in conclusion. "If you see now how much negativity is being said about her, that is not bad. She has to grow an elephant skin. She is the first (trans woman at the PDC World Darts Championship, ed.), so she will get a lot of abuse thrown at her."