The World Darts Federation (WDF) has issued a new policy barring men from participating in women’s competitions, triggering backlash from transgender athlete Noa-Lynn van Leuven. The ruling aims to preserve fairness in female divisions by ensuring biological women compete on a level playing field.
Van Leuven, who identifies as transgender, criticized the policy in an Instagram statement, calling it “a loss for the trans community in sports.” The athlete acknowledged not being directly impacted at the moment but said the decision “hurts” and contributes to feelings of exclusion.
The new WDF gender eligibility rules align with a growing movement across sports organizations to reinforce biological categories in competition. The policy is designed to maintain integrity in female sports by preventing individuals born male—who typically retain physiological advantages—from entering women’s events.
Van Leuven argued that framing the issue as one of fairness ultimately leads to the exclusion of trans-identifying athletes. “It’s disheartening to see yet another policy framed around ‘fairness’ that ultimately results in exclusion,” the athlete wrote.
Despite the change, van Leuven remains eligible in the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) circuit, where six women’s titles have already been claimed. The athlete reached the semifinals of the WDF Dutch Open in both 2023 and 2024 before transitioning to the PDC.
The WDF joins a growing list of sports federations tightening gender eligibility standards to protect female athletes. Similar measures have recently been implemented in cycling, swimming, and track and field, where concerns about fairness and safety have prompted rule changes.
Critics argue that women’s sports must be shielded from policies that prioritize ideology over biology. Supporters of the WDF’s decision contend that the move ensures equal opportunity for women in a competitive environment increasingly pressured by social activism.
