Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who will become the first ever transgender woman to play at the PDC World Darts Championship (WDC) later this year, has opened up on what it’s like to step out onto the stage and into the spotlight.
Van Leuven, who began transitioning in 2021, made history earlier this month by becoming the first trans player to compete in a televised PDC competition against men but lost to Michael van Gerwen in her Group G opener.
The 28-year-old made history earlier this year after becoming the first trans woman to win a PDC Tour event and has won four titles in 2024.
Now though she is gearing up to take part in the WDC for the first time, where the eyes of the world be all tuned in to Alexandra Palace for what is the biggest event in the darts calendar.
Speaking ahead of what will be a historic appearance, Van Leuven has opened up on what it’s like being ‘in the spotlight’, rubbing shoulders with the brightest and best of the sport.
‘Being one of the players that’s in the spotlight and not in a really good way I think it’s been ok,’ she began.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven will make history at the World Darts Championship later this year
She has already become the first ever transgender woman to win a PDC tour event
‘Apparently I’m pretty strong. It’s rough going out on the stage but I do like it.
‘I don’t know what to expect from the crowd but the other way around its like every time something negative happens, I always come out really good; I win a tournament or have some great games after moments like that.
‘I’ve got so much support and so many people sending me text messages saying you’re doing so well, keep going, just be you.’
Her defeat by her three-time WDC-winning compatriot Van Gerwen was a chastening result, but the darts legend did impart some words of wisdom for his fellow Dutch star.
Sections of the crowd audibly booed the 28-year-old as she made her way to the stage and there were more jeers during the first leg in Wolverhampton.
However, the hostilities ceased as the match progressed.
Speaking afterwards, Van Gerwen advised Van Leuven to block out the spectators and insisted that she was unable to control their reaction.
He also spoke to Sky of the dangers of bullying and claimed that it was ‘one of the worst things in the world’, with there being ‘worse things in life to worry about’.
Van Leuven admitted ‘it’s rough going out on stage’ but has continued to battle on despite some hostility
Darts legend Michael van Gerwen offered Van Leuven some words of advice and slammed bullies
‘My game against Michael was a 5-0 loss but it was a great game for me,’ Van Leuven added.
‘Playing one of the biggest players in darts is amazing, but if you hit a nice turn like a 140 or a 171, the crowd cheering for you feels great. It makes me feel proud.
‘Stepping out on the stage isn’t easy, but it’s also a nice moment to show myself and my pride and maybe I can help some people by showing myself.’
Van Leuven qualified for the Grand Slam of Darts thanks to performances in the PDC Women’s Series, where she was ranked as the Order of Merit runner-up.
Several of Van Leuven’s female rivals, including Britain’s Deta Hedman, have called for the Dutch star to be banned from ranked women’s tournaments.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter admitted the PDC’s policy was not one everyone agreed with, but insisted the organisation’s rules are ‘fair’.
‘We took legal advice and we took some ideas from policy that other sports bodies, the IOC [International Olympic Committee] and other governing bodies have put in place,’ Porter told Sky Sports.
‘Ultimately, we came up with a policy that we believe to be fair. We respect the fact that not everybody agrees with that and we accept that it’s not a unanimously accepted position.
Female darts star Deta Hedman dropped out of WDF events to avoid facing Van Leuven
‘However, it’s a position that we’ve adopted and that we believe is fair. Noa-Lynn’s been playing – and others – have been playing under that rule for a number of years now.
‘Noa-Lynn’s started to achieve more success in recent years, hence the opposition to her has become more vocal, which is the way of the world.
‘Again, it’s something we respect but ultimately we have a policy in place and it’s one that we’re comfortable with.’
Her appearances in women’s competition has been met with a backlash, with Hedman withdrawing from World Darts Federation events to avoid facing her.
In response to the furore, Van Leuven described some of her female opponents as ‘toxic b*******’ because of their behaviour.
