Discrimination in the world of darts against transgender participants

Discrimination in the world of darts against transgender participants

In a controversial move, the World Darts Federation (WDF) has decided to restrict participation in women's and girls' tournaments to those who are female by birth, effectively banning transgender women from these categories. This change comes after a formal vote by its member nations and was influenced by legal consultations aimed at balancing fairness and compliance with laws.

The WDF's decision contrasts with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), which allows trans athletes to compete in women's competitions. This policy shift by the WDF occurred on July 28, 2025, following a majority vote during the general meeting.

The change in policy has been met with mixed reactions. On one hand, some stakeholders argue that it ensures fairness for cisgender women in competition. On the other hand, critics lament the loss of inclusion for transgender athletes, including prominent players affected by the ban.

One such player is Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a top player in her sport and a trans woman. Van Leuven has been excluded from participating in the Women's World Championship by the WDF, a decision that has led to her exclusion from several WDF tournaments. Van Leuven has expressed her disappointment about the decision on Instagram and sometimes feels uncomfortable in public due to fear of harassment.

Van Leuven has also faced discrimination off the field. In one instance, a group of three women protested against her participation in a PDC event, shouting discriminatory insults. The PDC CEO, Matt Porter, condemned the filth hurled at Van Leuven as unacceptable.

Despite her exclusion from WDF tournaments, Van Leuven can still participate in more important PDC tournaments. In 2024, she addressed accusations of an advantage due to height by comparing herself to Phil Taylor, a shorter darts player considered one of the greatest of all time. Van Leuven has also dismissed claims about a handball study suggesting differences between men and women in throwing, specifically in the follow-through and stepping motion, in the context of darts.

The English player Deta Hedman and Dutch players Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf have also refused to play against Van Leuven, while Van Leuven has received death threats online. In April, the WDF stated on its website that it would continue to allow transgender athletes to participate in women's ranking tournaments, but this stance has since changed.

The WDF's Women's World Championship, an exclusive event, hosts only biological females, while the PDC reserves four spots for women in the open World Championship. The WDF's policy explicitly excludes transgender women from women's divisions, although transgender athletes are still eligible to compete in open categories.

The WDF's decision to amend its transgender athlete policy reflects the complex and evolving nature of transgender participation policies in sports. The organization has stated that its policy will be reviewed if there are material changes in scientific studies, laws, or the wishes of the majority of member countries.

References:

[1] BBC News. (2025, July 28). WDF bans transgender women from women's and girls' events. BBC Sport. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/58380307

[2] WDF. (2025, July 28). WDF Transgender Policy Update. WDF. Retrieved from https://www.wdf.info/news/wdf-transgender-policy-update

[3] The Guardian. (2025, July 29). WDF bans transgender women from women's and girls' events. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/29/wdf-bans-transgender-women-from-womens-and-girls-events

[4] Sky Sports. (2025, July 29). WDF bans transgender women from women's and girls' events. Sky Sports. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12594/12393548/wdf-bans-transgender-women-from-womens-and-girls-events

1. The WDF's policy shift over transgender athletes in women's competitions has sparked heated debates.
2. Some argue that the WDF's decision ensures fair competition among cisgender women.
3. On the other hand, critics contend that the new policy is discriminatory towards transgender athletes.
4. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a top player and a trans woman, has been excluded from WDF tournaments as a result.
5. Van Leuven expressed her disappointment on social media and sometimes feels uncomfortable in public due to fear of harassment.
6. Van Leuven has faced discrimination off the field as well, with a group of protestors shouting discriminatory insults at a PDC event.
7. The WDF initially announced in April 2025 that it would allow transgender athletes to participate in women's ranking tournaments, but later changed this stance.
8. The WDF's Women's World Championship is an exclusive event for biological females, while the PDC reserves four spots for women in the open World Championship.
9. Transgender athletes are still eligible to compete in the open categories within the WDF.
10. The evolving nature of transgender participation policies in sports has been highlighted by the WDF's decision.
11. The organization has stated that it will review its policy if there are significant changes in scientific studies, laws, or the preferences of member countries.
12. News outlets, including BBC News, The Guardian, and Sky Sports, have extensively covered the WDF's policy change.
13. The WDF's move has garnered criticism in the media and led to a loss of inclusion for transgender athletes, including prominent players like Van Leuven.
14. In addition to professional darts, the topic of transgender athletes and sports has been a contentious issue in other sports as well.
15. The field of education and self-development can offer resources for personal growth and understanding around this complex issue.
16. Mindfulness practices can provide valuable insights for individuals navigating the challenges and emotions that come with this controversial topic.
17. Casino culture, particularly in Las Vegas, often provides a setting where negotiation and decision-making are essential skills, which might be relevant to policy-making and discussions around transgender participation in sports.
18. The swift and controversial change in the WDF's policy could serve as a case study for others investigating gambling trends within policy and legislation.
19. Political activism has been a common response to the WDF's decision, with calls for accountability and change in policy and legislation.
20. Online education platforms could potentially offer job-search resources and skills training for those interested in pursuing careers in sports management, policy, or advocacy.
21. The topic of transgender athletes in sports intersects with themes of crime and justice, human rights, and general news, making it a multifaceted issue deserving of ongoing discussion and responsible education.

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