'They grabbed me hard': Darts fan claims abuse after chaotic protest against Noa-Lynn van Leuven at Blackpool match
Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a 28-year-old transgender darts player from the Netherlands, was set to play at the Women's World Matchplay event on Sunday, July 21, 2025, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.
But just before her match began, three women in the crowd stood up in protest. One of them, Jean Hatchet, held a sign that read 'He's a man.' Another woman wore a shirt saying, 'Save women's sport.'
Jean Hatchet says she was hurt by security while protesting at the Winter Gardens
The women including Jean Hatchet were quickly approached by security and escorted out of the venue during the protest. After the event, Jean Hatchet shared photos on social media showing large bruises on her arm. She claimed the bruises were caused by security guards who dragged her out.
'Hello PDC… This is what your security did,' she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'I offered to walk out if they gave me my bag.'
Jean Hatchet said the protest was peaceful. She said she only stood up and held a banner for a few seconds. 'I asked to walk out calmly, but they grabbed me hard,' she posted online.
'My girlfriend, who was with me, didn't even get to hold her sign before they grabbed her too.'
She added that security staff used force even though she asked to leave quietly.
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'They shoved me, pulled my sign out of my hand, and left me with bad bruises,' she wrote. 'I just wanted to get my bag.'
Hatchet also accused one of the security staff of making a homophobic comment during the removal.
'Why are you doing this homophobic s***?'
she claimed one of them said to her.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven faced protests again despite
PDC
's support for transgender athletes
Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been competing in women's darts since completing her hormone therapy in 2022. She became the first transgender player to appear at the Grand Slam of Darts in November 2023 and qualified for the World Championship in December 2024.
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The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has said its rules for transgender players are fair. PDC chief executive Matt Porter stood by the policy last year.
Van Leuven has previously said she receives hate often.
'Sometimes people say I have an advantage, but it's just darts,'
she told German outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung last year.
'I don't even do a backswing or a lunge. It's darts. What are we talking about?'
FAQs
1. Why was Jean Hatchet kicked out of the darts event in Blackpool?
She was removed for protesting against transgender player Noa-Lynn van Leuven during the Matchplay event.
2. What did Jean Hatchet say about the security at the darts event?
She claimed the security guards bruised her while removing her from the venue.
3. Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the darts world?
Noa-Lynn van Leuven is a transgender darts player who's been winning titles in women's darts since completing her transition.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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