Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven claims ‘it feels like everyone is against me’ ahead of Ally Pally debut

Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has suggested that ‘everyone wants to see me lose’ ahead of her Ally Pally debut on Tuesday.

Van Leuven will take on Kevin Doets in round one of the World Championship in the afternoon session for the chance to take on former champion Michael Smith in the second round.

She has faced adversity in the build-up to the tournament, receiving death threats, while team-mates Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra refused to play with her and English player Deta Hedman against her.

Van Leuven, 28, who began her gender transition as a teenager, has stormed up the women’s rankings in recent months by winning multiple titles, and completed her hormone therapy in 2022.

She became the first transgender player to compete at the Grand Slam of Darts last month, and she has qualified to play at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time this Christmas.

In the build-up, meanwhile, she has opened up on the kind of reception she expects when she takes to the stage in London. 

‘It feels like everyone is against me,’ she told Welt am Sonntag. ‘I know that’s not the case, but it just feels that way sometimes. In any case, they want to see me lose.’

PDC chief executive Matt Porter insisted last month that the current policy on transgender players is ‘fair’, giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage.

Still, both men and women compete equally in the tournament, with Fallon Sherrock set to take on Ryan Meikle in round one for the chance to face Luke Littler in round two.

Focus has generally been on the star competing in women’s events, with Hedman arguing: ‘People can be whoever they want in life, but I don’t think biologically born men should compete in women’s sports.’

Van Leuven again opened up on the discrimination she has faced, suggesting she does not have an advantage over other women at the oche. 

‘Sometimes I’m accused of having an advantage over others because of my height,’ she said. ‘But look at Beau [Greaves]. We’re the same height. Or look at Phil Taylor. He’s beaten everyone and he’s a small guy.’

‘Others see an alleged advantage in the movements of my hips. I would stand differently than CIS women. Then there are people who come up with a study from handball, according to which there are differences between men and women in the throw, specifically in the backswing, and also in the lunge movement.

‘So, the last time I played darts, I didn’t do a backswing or a lunge. It’s f***ing darts. What are we talking about?’