Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven reveals she obtained each day demise threats after being rejected by her team-mates – however explains why she is set to maintain enjoying forward of her World Championship debut
- Transgender star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has won multiple women’s tournaments
- She has revealed that she received death threats online earlier this year
- Van Leuven is determined to keep playing despite facing abuse on a daily basis
Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has revealed she received daily death threats online earlier this year.
Van Leuven, 28, who began her gender transition as a teenager, has stormed up the women’s rankings in recent months by winning multiple titles.
However, some of Van Leuven’s female rivals have called for her to be banned from women’s competitions, and Dutch duo Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf left the national team back in March after refusing to play with her.
Van Leuven has now opened up about the backlash that came her way on social media after that incident.
‘We all remember when my Dutch team-mates pulled out,’ Van Leuven said, as quoted by The Sun.
‘I got so many hate messages on my socials. People recognised me on the street. Most were fine and really supportive.
Transgender star Noa-Lynn van Leuven revealed she received death threats on a daily basis
Anca Zijlstra (left) and Aileen de Graaf (right) refused to play in the same team as Van Leuven
Van Leuven is determined to keep playing as she loves the sport so much
‘But those messages, like death threats… how many did I get? On a daily basis? In that period, yes.’
Van Leuven became the first transgender player to compete at the Grand Slam of Darts last month, and she has qualified to play at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace when it gets underway on Sunday.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter insisted last month that the current policy on transgender players is ‘fair’, giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage.
And Van Leuven has no intention of walking away from the sport any time soon despite the abuse she has received in recent months.
‘I love this game, so I’ll keep playing,’ she added.
Van Leuven has been backed by her fellow countryman and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
Speaking about the treatment of Van Leuven, Van Gerwen said: ‘It’s just heartbreaking. She does what she does and she can play terrific darts.
‘Let her play nice. For me, there’s never been a discussion, but I don’t make the rules.’
Michael van Gerwen has defended Van Leuven’s right to play amid some calls for her to be banned
Van Leuven could face former world champion Michael Smith at Ally Pally next week
Van Leuven is set to make history when she becomes the first transgender player at play at the World Championship.
She will take on fellow Dutch player Kevin Doets in the first round next Tuesday, with the winner set to face former world champion Michael Smith in the second round.
