Latest news with #Noa-LynnvanLeuven
The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven banned from tournaments after new rule introduced
DARTS star Noa-Lynn van Leuven will no longer be able to compete in women's tournaments under the World Darts Federation. It follows an update in the organisation's eligibility rules on transgender participation in events. 3 Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been banned from competing in WDF women's competitions Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 But the Dutch star will not be affected for PDC tournaments Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The decision was finalised on Monday after a vote by WDF members. In September 2024 a WDF General Meeting saw a remit put forward calling for the organisation to restrict participation in women's tournaments to only players who are female by birth. It means transgender women, such as 28-year-old Van Leuven, can only compete in the Open Category - which includes male players - under the organisation. A WDF statement on the change said: "Effective Monday 28 July 2025, entry and participation in WDF Women's and Girls Ranking Tournaments and Cups will only be open to players that are WOMEN/FEMALE as defined under this policy. READ MORE IN DARTS "Accordingly, WDF Tournaments, Cups and Ranking Tables will be renamed and redefined as 'Open', 'Women', 'Open Youth' and 'Girls' tournaments and cups. "We understand these changes may be challenging for people who want to compete in darts in the gender which they are now registered as. "The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly." This change will not affect the Dutch stars - or other transgender darts players - participation in competitions under the Professional Darts Corporation. Most read in Darts The PDC, who refused to comment on this matter when approached by SunSport, operate under the rules of the Darts Regulation Authority. Last year, Van Leuven broke new ground as she became the first Dutch woman to qualify for the World Darts Championship, but was eliminated in the first round by compatriot Kevin Doets. Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven thanks the support of Luke Humphries and Michael Van Gerwen She also featured in the Women's World Matchplay of Darts in Blackpool last week, reaching the semi-final before losing to eventual winner Lisa Ashton. Van Leuven is currently ranked 4th in the PDC Women's Order of Merit, with the top three stars eligible to qualify for the WDC and top rank qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts. Ahead of last year's Ally Pally tournament, Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen came He said: "It's just heartbreaking. She does what she does and she can play terrific darts. "Let her play nice. For me, there's never been a discussion, but I don't make the rules. The PDC has people who go over them. "They can never make the right choice anyway. If they go left, people say they should go right and vice versa. "Everyone has an opinion about it, but there is no point at all in continuing to argue." Van Leuven previously revealed how she had started considering her transition at the age of 16 after becoming "more and more unhappy with myself, to a point that I didn't want to live any more". 3 Michael van Gerwen called treatment of her 'heartbreaking' last year Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven banned from tournaments after new rule introduced
A darts world champion said the treatment she had received was 'heartbreaking' DARTS star Noa-Lynn van Leuven will no longer be able to compete in women's tournaments under the World Darts Federation. It follows an update in the organisation's eligibility rules on transgender participation in events. 3 Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been banned from competing in WDF women's competitions Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 But the Dutch star will not be affected for PDC tournaments Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The decision was finalised on Monday after a vote by WDF members. In September 2024 a WDF General Meeting saw a remit put forward calling for the organisation to restrict participation in women's tournaments to only players who are female by birth. It means transgender women, such as 28-year-old Van Leuven, can only compete in the Open Category - which includes male players - under the organisation. A WDF statement on the change said: "Effective Monday 28 July 2025, entry and participation in WDF Women's and Girls Ranking Tournaments and Cups will only be open to players that are WOMEN/FEMALE as defined under this policy. "Accordingly, WDF Tournaments, Cups and Ranking Tables will be renamed and redefined as 'Open', 'Women', 'Open Youth' and 'Girls' tournaments and cups. "We understand these changes may be challenging for people who want to compete in darts in the gender which they are now registered as. "The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly." This change will not affect the Dutch stars - or other transgender darts players - participation in competitions under the Professional Darts Corporation. The PDC, who refused to comment on this matter when approached by SunSport, operate under the rules of the Darts Regulation Authority. Last year, Van Leuven broke new ground as she became the first Dutch woman to qualify for the World Darts Championship, but was eliminated in the first round by compatriot Kevin Doets. Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven thanks the support of Luke Humphries and Michael Van Gerwen She also featured in the Women's World Matchplay of Darts in Blackpool last week, reaching the semi-final before losing to eventual winner Lisa Ashton. Van Leuven is currently ranked 4th in the PDC Women's Order of Merit, with the top three stars eligible to qualify for the WDC and top rank qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts. Ahead of last year's Ally Pally tournament, Van Leuven revealed she received sickening death threats every day, leading to her struggling with her mental health as she was forced to deal with "old traumas". Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen came out in support of his darts rival before they faced off in the Grand Slam of Darts last year. He said: "It's just heartbreaking. She does what she does and she can play terrific darts. "Let her play nice. For me, there's never been a discussion, but I don't make the rules. The PDC has people who go over them. "They can never make the right choice anyway. If they go left, people say they should go right and vice versa. "Everyone has an opinion about it, but there is no point at all in continuing to argue." Van Leuven previously revealed how she had started considering her transition at the age of 16 after becoming "more and more unhappy with myself, to a point that I didn't want to live any more".
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'They grabbed me hard': Darts fan claims abuse after chaotic protest against Noa-Lynn van Leuven at Blackpool match
Darts fan claims abuse after chaotic protest against Noa-Lynn van Leuven at Blackpool match (Image via Getty) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo '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. Also Read: Steve Jobs' Daughter Eve Jobs Marries Olympic Gold Medalist Harry Charles In $6.7 Million Fairytale Wedding 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!
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Noa Lynn van Leuven vows not to be driven out of darts with dream Ally Pally return on mind
The 28-year-old is determined to enjoy the game again and wants another dream shot at the World Championships Determined Noa-Lynn van Leuven insists she won't be driven out of darts as she targets a dream return to the Ally Pally. The 28-year-old is back on the major stage at Blackpool for the Betfred Women's World Matchplay. Van Leuven has been happy to go under the radar and out of the spotlight this time around following last year's intense attention. As the first transgender player to compete in a televised PDC tournament against men at the Grand Slam before heading to the World Championships, van Leuven had felt searing scrutiny. But she's back in Blackpool having won back-to-back April events in Rosmalen and won't be deterred as she explained: 'No, I love this game too much and why would I let anyone else ruin my passion for darts? I just want to play darts. 'It feels amazing to be back. It's such an iconic place to play at. Last year, I just lacked a bit of confidence, I guess. I've been gaining a lot of stage experience now, so hopefully I can bring my A game to the stage this time. 'It was quiet for the past few weeks and that's actually quite nice. I've done a bit less media beforehand. I guess this year is just about trying to enjoy life and getting my mind right again, so I don't have that big of goals in darts. 'I'm feeling better, yeah. Before the Grand Slam, it was really good to read those kind of messages in the newspapers. If you have a lot of people going up against you, it's not a great feeling. But if you get the likes of them [Humphries/Van Gerwen], it sure helps. 'I'm just here to play my game. I want to win a few games. If I win three games, that would be great. "I've been taking some time to just relax, get my mind right, just try to enjoy life and find the nice things in life. So I've taken a bit of time away from darts, but I have practised in between and I think my game is on. 'It's okay. I'm trying to find that balance and I'm trying to find and enjoy the nice things in life. I want to enjoy darts again.' Van Leuven has targeted the Ally Pally again and continued: 'I would love to be back at Worlds. I was there the day before [playing Kevin Doets] and, when I walked into the venue, I was like: Oh, is this it? "On TV it looked so much bigger, but if you were in a room, how many people does it fit? Like 4,000? That's quite a lot. 'But it's amazing to play on that stage and I felt so comfortable Kevin on that stage. So yeah, it's just a good experience.'
