Trans darts player Noa-Lynn Van Leuven shares tearful ‘retirement’ post after rule change sees her banned from competing

Noa-Lynn Van Leuven has shared an emotional video on social media after she was apparently ‘retired’ by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA).

Van Leuven, who is a trans woman, has competed in both women’s and open gender darts tournaments since 2022.

However, following a new ruling by the DRA that trans women are no longer allowed to compete in women’s competitions, Van Leuven has announced that she has been retired. Not through choice, but by the DRA.

????️ "Just be yourself, do whatever you like to do. Just love the game."

???????? Noa-Lynn van Leuven sends message to LGBTQ+ community after qualifying for the World Championship for the second straight year.

In association with @StarSports_Bet #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/fLfCaox4o3

— Oche180 (@Oche180) December 15, 2025

Noa-Lynn Van Leuven takes to social media

Taking to social media, the 29-year-old said in an emotional video, “I just got an email, apparently I just got retired. Not by choice but because I am longer allowed to compete, the DRA decided that trans women are no longer allowed in women’s events. Which basically means, I’m out.

“I’ve worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed, I respected the sport. And now, with just one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong any more.

“This isn’t just about me, it’s another huge hit for the trans community, especially after recent decisions made by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

“Every day it’s getting harder and harder for trans people just to exist. If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be.”

???? A tearful Noa-Lynn Van Leuven has announced her "retirement" after revealing a DRA ruling banning transgender players from women's darts events.

"I just got an email, apparently I just got retired. Not by choice but because I am longer allowed to compete, the DRA decided that… pic.twitter.com/rGwzjuYge4

— Tungsten Tales Darts (@Tungsten_Tales) April 9, 2026

The ruling from the DRA mirrors the recent ruling by the IOC banning trans women from women’s sports. Starting with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, eligibility for the women’s category will be determined by a one-time SRY gene screening (via saliva or cheek swab) to identify the presence of a Y chromosome, which the IOC considers evidence of male sex development.

Van Leuven began transitioning around the age of 16 and has previously revealed how the process saved her life.

Now, 13 years later, after competing in several major tournaments, such as the PDC Women’s Series, the PDC Challenge Tour Series and the PDC World Darts Championship, it would appear that the latest ruling from the DRA has drastically affected the course of Noa-Lynn Van Leuven’s career.

The decision by the DRA has been heavily criticised, as the IOC’s ruling around the Olympics also was. Also, the DRA only letting Van Leuven know by email rather than in person or over the phone has also received a backlash from fans.

Retired by email is grim. DRA’s turned this into a pub lock-in with the lights on and the darts taken off the board.

— Nathan Hagerty (@HagertyNat30479) April 9, 2026

What a joke, the DRA are cowards for not even phoning. Total lack of respect the DRA has towards all players.

— Wilbur Munch (@wilbur_munch) April 9, 2026

Absolute joke of the dra the pdc have let them self's down with this Absolute disgrace

— Jordan Fury Hamilton (@FuryJordan21897) April 9, 2026

Whether there will be an appeals process in place to contest the DRA’s ruling remains to be seen.

Van Leuven is still eligible to compete in open gender category competitions.