Transgender Darts Player Makes History, Inspires Change
In a groundbreaking moment for the sport, NOA-LYNN van Leuven has become the first transgender woman to compete in a televised darts tournament. Although she was defeated by English player Beau Greaves at the Women’s Matchplay, van Leuven’s transition, both personally and athletically, stands as a significant achievement.
The 27-year-old Dutch-born darts player began her transition just one year ago while working as a chef de partie at a local restaurant in Heemskerk. Despite her dedication to the game and even winning the Denmark Open, van Leuven’s unhappiness with herself initially hindered her performance. She decided to quit darts and focus on improving her own well-being. However, the passion for darts never left her, and after undergoing therapy and transitioning, she found the courage to return to the sport she loved.
While the match against Beau Greaves posed a challenging opponent on the sporting field, nothing compared to the difficulty of sharing her journey with family and friends. With trepidation, van Leuven told her close friend first, who turned out to be incredibly supportive. Encouraged by this, she gradually revealed the truth to her mother, father, and other family members, who all expressed their unwavering support.
Despite her own successes and acceptance, van Leuven experienced heartache when working as a mediator for trans people, witnessing the struggles they faced. Many individuals were waiting for trans-health care, and the lengthy waiting list in the Netherlands, up to three years for a first appointment, exacerbated their depression and unhappiness. This inspired van Leuven to push for change and highlight the necessity for improved support and shorter wait times.
Fortunately, the Darts Regulation Authority, the governing body for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), supports inclusivity and encourages participation from trans and non-binary individuals. Van Leuven recognizes the challenges faced by transgender athletes in other sports where rules and regulations may exclude them from competing in the categories aligned with their gender identity. She empathizes with these athletes and believes that until proven otherwise, transgender individuals may have an advantage in some sports.
While her fellow female professionals, Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock, appreciate van Leuven’s efforts in raising trans awareness within darts, not everyone has been welcoming. Despite her victory at the Denmark Open, van Leuven sensed discomfort among some players who engaged in whispered conversations about her. This unsupportive behavior dampened the joy of her accomplishment, as she believed it was neither the time nor place for such negativity.
Van Leuven’s ultimate aspiration is to obtain a PDC Tour card, which would allow her to compete at the highest level in the professional darts circuit. If she achieves this goal, she will bid farewell to her career as a chef de partie and fully commit to pursuing her passion for darts.
Van Leuven’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and inclusivity in the world of sports. As she continues to make history and inspire change, her story serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of their gender identity, deserves the opportunity to chase their dreams and be accepted for who they are.
