Who is trans darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven?

1 month ago 32

NOA-LYNN van Leuven made history when she became the first trans woman to play in a darts TV tournament.

Since then she has forged a name for herself in the world of darts, whilst also making history.

Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven?

Born on September 27, 1996, Noa-Lynn van Leuven is a Dutch darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events.

In 2023, she was the first trans woman to play in a darts TV tournament.

Van Leuven only began transitioning in 2022, and joined the Women’s Series around the same time.

She previously revealed how before she transitioned, she even considered giving up darts due to feeling depressed.

“I never really got into a group with people around darts. I was really unhappy with myself so my darts game wasn’t that good,” van Leuven told Sky Sports.

“When you’re not feeling great then nothing in life will be really, really good. I quit darts and then I became a happier version of myself but then I really wanted to start playing darts again.

“I tried to enjoy life as much as possible. I transitioned before going through a lot of meetings with a psychologist.”

When van Leuven isn’t busy taking over the world of darts she still works as a chef de partie at her local restaurant in Heemskerk, a small town outside of Amsterdam.

She also has worked as a mediator offering support for trans people.

What competitions has Noa-Lynn van Leuven won?

Van Leuven made her debut at the 2022 PDC Women’s Series.

She reached the quarter-finals of both events 13 and 14 of the Women’s Series, losing to Beau Greaves 4–2 and Laura Turner 4–3 respectively.

I think it’s tough for transgender people to play sports, especially when people know that you’re trans because you have a big advantage until you prove it’s not.

Noa-Lynn van Leuven

At the 2023 Dutch Open, Van Leuven entered the event as the 15th seed and reached the semi-finals, losing to Aileen de Graaf.

However, she went onto win the Denmark Open in 2023, beating Irina Armstrong.

This was followed by more triumphant in March 2024, when van Leuven won the PDC Women’s Series, eight days after beating male rivals in a mixed event.

Van Leuven had to pass stringent transitioning tests to play in women’s darts.

The Darts Regulation Authority, the governing body for the PDC, states: “Darts is open to all who wish to be involved in any capacity and we encourage all trans and non-binary participants to take part.”

This has allowed Van Leuven to compete in the sport she has fallen in love with.

She is also sympathetic for other sports that exclude trans athletes from competing in the categories they want to assign themselves with.

She told Sky Sports: “I feel devastated by the people that get hit by that.

“I think it’s tough for transgender people to play sports, especially when people know that you’re trans because you have a big advantage until you prove it’s not.”