Trans darts player Noa-Lynn Van Leuven speaks out after protesters ejected from venue
Trans darts player, Noa-Lynn van Leuven. (Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Trans darts player, Noa-Lynn van Leuven. (Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Updated 30th July 2025, 11.49am: An earlier version of this article stated that protesters “tried to throw objects onto the stage”. We retract this claim and clarify that protesters stood and unfurled a banner reading “He’s a man” before being removed.
Trans darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has spoken out after gender-critical protestors were thrown out of the venue where she was playing her latest match.
The Dutch star transitioned in 2021, and last October became the first transgender woman to qualify for the Professional Darts Corporation World Championship.
On Sunday (27 July), as van Leuven walked towards the oche for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, protesters stood and unfurled a banner reading ‘He’s a man’. They were removed by security staff.
The following day, Van Leuven took to Instagram to thank fans for their “support, messages and love”.
She went on to say: “Was it the performance I dreamed of? Not even close. I couldn’t quite find my rhythm on stage. But considering how these past few weeks have gone, just being up there was already a win in itself.
“Sometimes showing up is the victory. Now it’s time to reset, refocus and come back sharper. The journey continues and I’m not done yet.”
Van Leuven won her opening match, before losing to Fallon Sherrock in the second round. “I love this game too much, why would I let anyone else ruin my passion for darts? I just want to play darts,” she said afterwards.
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