The Professional Darts Corporation's decision to immediately bar transgender players from competing on the women's circuit has sparked widespread reaction within the darts world. The organisation announced that from April 9, only biologically born women are eligible in women's competitions, removing the option for players like Noa-Lynn van Leuven to continue in the Women's Series and qualify via that route for televised tournaments such as the World Darts Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts.
Former top darter Co Stompé expressed surprise at the new policy, calling the change of course striking. "I really didn't see this coming, because the PDC has actually been very accommodating on this issue in recent years," he said in an interview with Sportnieuws.nl. Stompé questioned the reasoning behind the decision, finding it remarkable that the organisation is suddenly drawing a clear line between women and transgender players. "I find that very strange," said Stompé. "If you have gone through such a transition, then you also use female hormones. What is the difference then?"
The measure has immediate sporting and financial consequences for Van Leuven, who is no longer allowed to compete in the Women's Series, loses her position in the rankings, and forfeits the opportunity to earn prize money and qualification spots via the women's circuit. Stompé sympathised with the Dutch player's situation, noting, "For her, it is of course terrible. What can she do about it?" Van Leuven will henceforth have to rely on the open category, which in practice is dominated by men.
Stompé also pointed to a broader debate about the structure of the darts circuit, arguing it is hard to justify maintaining separate qualification routes for women while excluding transgender players. "The PDC doesn't want men with women, but then they shouldn't want it the other way around either," he argued. "But that is exactly what they do. If they are really so adamant and know so well how things stand, then they should keep the categories of men and women completely separate. As it stands, women are still gratefully making use of the exceptional position the PDC offers them." He called the overall policy inconsistently applied, adding, "If you want to do it, do it completely. Then you have to keep everything separate. Then everything and everyone must qualify for the tournaments via a single route. But they are not going to do that."
According to Stompé, the decision may prompt new questions from male players, who must qualify for major events through tougher and longer routes. "The PDC apparently now knows the answer to the question of whether men are stronger than women," he sighed.
