Noa-Lynn van Leuven is set to make history by becoming the first transgender player to compete in the Grand Slam of Darts.
Van Leuven, 28, began her gender transition as a teenager and has risen through the ranks in recent months by winning four women’s titles in 2024 to earn her place at this year’s tournament in Wolverhampton, which will be held between November 9 and 17.
She qualified thanks to her performances in the PDC Women’s Series, where she was runner-up in the Order of Merit.
He could now face the likes of Luke Littler and current world champion Luke Humphries, but his participation is likely to cause controversy.
Several of Van Leuven’s female rivals, including Britain’s Deta Hedman, have called for the Dutch star to be excluded from ranked women’s tournaments.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven (pictured) will become the first transgender player to compete in the Grand Slam of Darts
He could face teenage sensation Luke Littler at the Wolverhampton tournament
Some players, including Deta Hedman (pictured), have called for Van Leuven to be banned from competing in ranked women’s tournaments.
Hedman has twice pulled out of matches scheduled to face transgender players in recent months, prompting the World Darts Federation to issue a statement warning that the players could be disciplined as they claimed they were protecting the “integrity of the game”.
“On the eve of an important period in the WDF calendar with regional cups, the World Masters and the World Championship, the WDF would like to clarify its position on player withdrawals,” a statement read.
“Once the first dart has been thrown in a tournament, any player who subsequently withdraws from a match may be considered to be bringing the game into disrepute and could face disciplinary action.
“This stance has been taken to adequately protect our member countries, their tournaments and tournament sponsors, as well as to preserve the integrity of the WDF ranking system.”
PDC chief executive Matt Porter also defended the sport’s position on transgender players.
he said sky sports: ‘We take legal advice, we take ideas from other sports policies that the IOC and governing bodies have implemented and, finally, we come to a policy that we believe is fair.
‘We accept the fact that not everyone agrees with this and we accept that it is not a unanimously accepted position. However, it is a position we have taken and believe is fair.
The World Darts Federation has warned players they could face disciplinary action if they withdraw from tournaments.
‘Noa-Lynn and others have been playing under that rule for several years. Noa-Lynn has started to achieve more success in recent years, so the opposition towards her has become more vocal, which is the way of the world and something we respect. But ultimately we have a policy and we are comfortable with it.”
Van Leuven attacked her competitors last month, accusing them of being “toxic bitches” who only want her removed from tournaments because they see her as a threat.
‘I thought the world should know. This is discrimination. “We’ve gone back 40 years with the sport of darts,” he said.
He later told a Dutch outlet. WILDEBEEST: ‘They (other players) secretly tell me that they don’t understand the commotion. But there are a lot of conservative and toxic bitches on the women’s circuit.
Van Leuven to take on men’s players at Darts Grand Slam in Wolverhampton
Women’s Matchplay Champion Beau Greaves (pictured) will also compete in the tournament.
“They see me as a threat. I throw well now (on the women’s circuit) because I feel more comfortable.
‘It’s a matter of putting money and hours into it. Not many women do that, but I do. I have shown that I can also conquer men.
Van Leuven will now have the chance to prove herself against the men, while Women’s Matchplay champion Beau Greaves will also be at the tournament in Wolverhampton.
Van Leuven also became the first transgender player to qualify for the World Championships and will compete in next month’s tournament at Alexandra Palace.
