"I was like, what am I going to do with my career now?": Noa-Lynn van Leuven questioned her future after WDF decision on transgender players

Noa-Lynn van Leuven has admitted she briefly questioned her future in darts after the WDF banned transgender players from competing in the women’s category.

The new rule, which excludes transgender darters from the women’s class within the World Darts Federation, forced the Dutch player to reconsider the direction of her career. Even so, “The Duchess” has now set her sights forward again. Van Leuven is allowed to compete in the open category and says the situation has actually given her extra motivation to further develop her game.

Van Leuven had known for months that the decision was coming. The new rule was voted on at last year’s WDF Europe Cup in Slovakia. “It was back in July when I knew about this new ruling coming up; they voted for it in the Europe Cup in Slovakia," she told Oche. "I knew it was coming but I didn’t know when or how. I didn’t even know when I was allowed to play anymore in the women’s game."

That uncertainty led the 29-year-old to seriously consider her future. “I was like, what am I going to do with my career now? Am I just going to stick to the PDC or am I going to try other things?"

During the transition period, Van Leuven also found herself in a complicated situation. “Back then I was allowed to play with the women in that period. But I wasn’t allowed to play in the open. I just didn’t know what to do. When the ruling came out, I was like, at least it was clear now."

The Dutch player now competes regularly in open tournaments at home and says that step suits her well. "

“It does motivate me to become a better player again. It is weird to not be able to play the women anymore in the WDF. But I can within the PDC. In the end, I am playing in the Dutch tournaments now in the open ranking and I quite enjoy myself in those."

Van Leuven remains active internationally as well. In two weeks she will represent the Netherlands at the 4 Nations Cup. She also wants to focus more on open events within the WDF. “I actually want to give it a shot now to play in the open and maybe some WDF tournaments.”

Van Leuven also took to the stage at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace last December. There she lost 3-0 in the first round to two-time world champion Peter Wright. Leading up to that tournament, Van Leuven temporarily stepped away from the sport due to mental health issues. In recent months she has also faced heavy criticism and online abuse.

Yet quitting was never a serious option for her. "I just enjoy the game of darts too much. I keep coming back to it. I played in the youth and then I took a few years off regarding my transition as well," she said. "Now I just can’t stay away from the game."

So far Van Leuven has won one match on a PDC stage, but her ambitions remain as high as ever. “The last year has been rough. I have not played many games or tournaments. I played the women’s series and that was about it.

“This year I want to keep improving and I see my game improving again. Hopefully I can actually aim for a Tour Card next year.”

Despite the defeat to Wright, Van Leuven looks back fondly on her appearance at Alexandra Palace. "I actually enjoyed myself on that stage playing Peter. He was really kind on the stage and behind it. He was really nice to me. I think the crowd was amazing as well. I didn’t really bring my A-game, but I didn’t play much darts last year.”

On the PDC Women’s Series, Van Leuven has certainly made her mark over the past two seasons with six tournament wins. Still, she acknowledges that one name currently sets the pace in the women’s game: Beau Greaves, who has now put together an impressive 113-match unbeaten streak.

"She is quite annoying with how she is playing right now. I enjoy playing games against Beau; she always brings the best out of me in games," she joked.

“Sometimes she beats me 4-0, but sometimes it is a really close game. I really enjoy playing her and seeing what she can do. I think it’s really great what she is doing on the ProTour right now.”