Women’s World Matchplay: Noa-Lynn van Leuven set to be first trans woman to play in a TV darts tournament | Darts News

Trans darts player Noah-Lynn van Leeuwen talks to Sky Sports about her transition, opening up to her family, the pain of losing close friends, the sour taste in her mouth after winning the Denmark Open and facing Beau Greaves in the women’s matchplay.

Van Leeuwen only joined the Women’s Series last year as she transitioned, but reaching the final of Event 12 saw her overtake 2022 Blackpool semi-finalist Lorraine Winstanley and secure last-gasp qualification for this year’s event.

The 27-year-old Dutch debutant will create history on Sunday by becoming the first trans woman to play in a televised darts tournament.

It’s a dream come true for Van Leeuwen, who said she always “felt different” from the other kids at school when she was growing up, but now feels playing ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ at the Empress Ballroom is her favorite fate.

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Van Leeuwen explains how comments from other players spoiled her victory at the Denmark Open

Van Leeuwen, who was working as chef de partie at her local restaurant, fell in love with darts and quit her job last year before her transition began.

She said: “I never really joined a group of people around darts. I was really unhappy with myself so my darts game wasn’t that good. Nothing really goes well in life when you’re not feeling well. I quit darts and then I became a happier version of myself but then I really wanted to start playing darts again.”

“I tried to enjoy life as much as possible. I went through several meetings with a psychologist before I made a change.”

Telling her family and friends what she was going through proved to be one of the most difficult moments of her life.

“It was really tough,” Van Leeuwen said. “I told a really good friend of mine and she was really supportive but she also said I needed to tell my mom.

“I think it was about a week after I told him and a week later I was already at the doctors and I think it took me a few more months to tell my dad and other family members, but they were all really supportive of me. It was really nice that’s helped me with everything.”

There were some people who I talked to a lot and then suddenly you don’t listen to them and then you have to hear from the parents that they are no more. it’s devastating,

Van Leeuwen lost some friends to suicide

Van Leeuwen spoke openly about the pain of losing some of her friends to suicide when she was a moderator offering support to trans people.

An emotional Van Leeuwen said, “There were some people I talked to a lot and then all of a sudden you don’t hear from them and then you have to hear from parents that they’re not there anymore. It’s devastating.”

“They will all be waiting for trans-health care and I think there is a waiting list of up to three years in the Netherlands before you can get your first appointment, so it is really hard for some people.

“The wait is too long because a lot of people in that situation are depressed, they’re really unhappy with themselves. They’re not getting the help they need, so it’s too long.”

Van Leeuwen researched the rules before participating in the tournament. The PDC, in conjunction with the DRA (Darts Regulation Authority) Disciplinary Committee, has now established rules for transgender players.

She considers darting officials a breath of fresh air, in contrast to World Athletics, which has excluded trans women who have gone through male puberty from female events in a bid to try to strike a balance between inclusivity and ensuring there is no unfair advantage.

“I feel devastated by the people who fall prey to this,” she said. “I think it’s hard for transgender people to play sports, especially when people know you’re trans because until you prove you’re not trans, you have a huge advantage.”

sour taste in denmark

Van Leeuwen wins Denmark Open but feels she will be stripped of title

Van Leeuwen has received largely positive feedback from fellow female players including Greaves and Fallon Sherock, but despite winning the biggest title of her career to date, winning the Denmark Open in May left her with a sour taste in her mouth.

Van Leeuwen said, “After I won there was a presentation on stage and I had a strange feeling about what happened on stage. The other players were talking to each other and I thought it was about me.” “I was right because someone told me but I don’t think it was the right place or time to do something like this.

“They were complaining about me, so they had to [come] move against me and do it all [to throw me out of the competition] who ruined the moment. I worked hard for that title. I played really good games all day and in the end I won. The guys who had match darts against me didn’t take their chances but I took my chances. It was a deserved victory.”

Ready to compete with the fabulous Beau?

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Van Leeuwen believes her opponent Beau Greaves is under more pressure ahead of their first round match at the Women’s World Matchplay.

Van Leeuwen, whose darting hero is Raymond Van Barneveld, has his eye on the local darts shop located in Heemskerk, about 35 minutes by road from Amsterdam.

Now it’s almost time to face Greaves, who has been the most dominant force in the women’s game, winning 15 of the last 20 PDC Women’s Series events.

Greaves’ record-breaking 15th Women’s Series title was van Leeuwen’s elimination with an average of 104, but the 27-year-old claimed a shock win over bottom-placed Greaves in Milton Keynes in May, which she believes will drive the point into Beau’s mind this Sunday.

Greaves would be the perfect offer for Dutch darts star Van Leeuwen

Van Leeuwen said, “I’m not practicing any more than I usually do. It’s just like any other tournament. I’m trying to take the pressure off and I don’t want to do any more than I usually do because I know what works for me and I don’t want to over-practice.”

“I couldn’t get a worse draw than this, but I know I can beat her, I’ve done it before, but I always give her a good game and play at a good level against her. I just want to give her a good game so that the best woman can win.”

“It’s on TV so there’s a lot of pressure on me but there’s also a lot of pressure on Beau. A lot of people are expecting him to win tournaments so that plays into my hands.

“I have nothing to lose. I’m not afraid of anybody. I just have to bring my A-game to the stage and see where it ends up.”

‘I don’t like attention but now I am used to it’

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The best eight will square off this Sunday and you can watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a single session in Women’s World Matchplay.

After speaking to Dutch TV and the Guardian, Van Leeuwen will be ready to face the world’s media on the eve of her biggest match yet.

Being in the spotlight is something the Dutchwoman may not seem prepared for, but her time in Blackpool will be well spent seeing the sights ahead of gameday.

She promises plenty of fighting and tons of max achievements, but learns she’ll double the price when she goes up against Beau.

“The last time I played with him, I averaged 83 and I didn’t even get a double,” he said. “I thought I played well, but it wasn’t that good, but on stage it will be different. I’m going to do everything possible.”

Van Leeuwen said she would give up her role as chef de partie and also give up her favorite chocolate pastry dish for her ultimate dream – a PDC tour card.

The winner of the Women’s World Matchplay will qualify for November’s Grand Slam of Darts and the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, in addition to the £10,000 top prize.

Beginning her title defense, Fallon Sherrock will face the legendary Lisa Ashton in the women’s matchplay.

2023 Women’s World Matchplay
Sunday 23 July
make brackets
(1) Beau Greaves vs. (8) Noah-Lynn Van Leeuwen
(4) Robin Byrne vs. (5) Ryan O’Sullivan
(2) Mikuru Suzuki vs. (7) Elaine de Graaf
(3) Fallon Sherrock vs. (6) Lisa Ashton

Format
Quarter-finals – best of seven stages
Semi-finals – best of nine stages
Final – Best of 11 legs

prize money
Winner: £10,000
Runner-up: £5,000
Semi-finalist: £2,500
Quarter-finalist: £1,250
Total: £25,000

Watch the Women’s World Matchplay at the iconic Winter Garden from 1pm on Sunday as eight of the game’s leading female stars compete for a £10,000 top prize – live on Sky Sports action. Stream world matchplay and more with NOW for £21 per month,