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Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has revealed she has been effectively forced to retire after being banned from competing in women's events. The Darts Regulation Authority recently ruled that transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete in women's events.

Van Leuven became the first openly transgender darts player to grace the Ally Pally stage when she faced Kevin Doets in 2024. The 29-year-old came up short and lost 3-1. She also featured at Ally Pally last December but was knocked out in the first round after losing 3-0 to Peter Wright. It came just a few months after she was barred from competing in women's events on the WDF circuit.

And Van Leuven can now no longer play on the PDC Women's Series, where she has claimed six titles.

In a post on Instagram, she said: "I just got an email. Apparently, I just got retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete.

"The DRA has just decided that trans women are no longer allowed in women's events, which basically means I am out.

"I have worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up and I competed. I respected the sport every game and every single day.

"Now, with just one decision, I am being told I no longer belong. This isn't just about me, it is another huge hit for the trans community.

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"Especially after the recent decisions made by the IOC. Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn't. We just want to be."

The DRA's decision follows the International Olympic Committee's ban on transgender athletes in female fields. The rule will come into force at the 2028 Los Angeles games and will be implemented for all future Olympic and IOC events.

The DRA said the decision was made to "achieve fair competition in darts" after a report it commissioned found that "multiple physical differences" give male players a clear advantage over females.

The report added: "Male advantage includes greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, more muscle mass, and stiffer tendons. These factors enhance reach, stability and throwing mechanics, affecting consistency and precision."