NOA-LYNN van Leuven made history this weekend by being the first trans woman to compete in a darts television event.
Despite being soundly defeated by English star Beau Greaves in the Women’s Matchplay, the outcome was academic. Her shift was complete in more ways than one.
Van Leuven, who was born in the Netherlands, began transitioning a year ago.
She also joined the Women’s Series around the same time, receiving both positive and negative feedback.
The road had not been easy.
She continues to work as a chef de partie at her neighborhood restaurant in Heemskerk, a little hamlet just outside of Amsterdam.
Despite winning the Denmark Open and advancing through the ranks of darts.
But, with her happiness jeopardized before she transitioned, she pondered abandoning the arrows.
“I never really got into a group with people around darts. I was really unhappy with myself so my darts game wasn’t that good,” she said.
“When you’re not feeling great then nothing in life will be really, really good. 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 transitioned before going through a lot of meetings with a psychologist.”
If taking on Greaves was her hardest battle in the sporting arena, nothing compared to telling her family and friends of what she was going through.
“It was really tough,” explained Van Leuven.
“I told a really good friend of mine and she was really supportive but she also said I had to tell my mum.
“I think it was about a week later when I told her and a week later I was already at the doctors and I think it took me a couple more months before I told my dad and other family members, but they were all really supportive to me.
“It was really nice which has really helped me through everything.”
In the meantime, Van Leuven worked as a mediator offering support for trans people.
However, she was left heartbroken when their families revealed some had lost their lives to suicide.
