Transwomen in Professional Darts

[Heliotroper]

Van Leuven knows that not everybody appreciates her “big glow-up”, as she puts it. Or the fact that she will be the first trans woman to play in a televised Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament. Nevertheless, she wants to speak. “Because,” she says, “now I have the opportunity to tell my story. And not let other people tell it.”

The rules as they now stand are unequivocal: trans women are eligible to play in women’s tournaments as long as their passports say they are female, they have been in hormone replacement therapy for over 12 months and their testosterone level is below a certain mark. This is, of course, exactly as it should be. Physical strength, body development, player safety: none of these are remotely an issue in a game where all you really need is a functioning arm and decent eyesight.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jul/14/noa-lynn-van-leuven-darts-interview

https://dartsnews.com/pdc/interview-noa-lynn-van-leuven-becomes-first-trans-woman-at-televised-tournament-at-pdc-its-hard-to-do-top-sport-in-such-a-position

Much like cue sports like pool and snooker. The best women players are good, but nowhere near the level of the top male players.

Size is definitely a factor in snooker. The average woman simply can't reach some shots the average man can.

I'm sure it is. Nevertheless, I still think "if as many girls as boys played snooker" is a factor too. Look at women's football; I remember, years ago, it was rubbish! The goalies couldn't save a thing. But now, with more women and girl taking up the game, standards have improved massively. True for all sports. And more women and girls taking up sport in general seems to me a win/win.

Males generally have a significantly longer arm reach/wingspan. Surely they would then be releasing the dart inches closer to the board than females if starting from the same line?

Yes that sounds like a slippery slope.

Maybe they should set the bulls eye according to the height of the thrower. It wouldn't be hard would it.

Because it’s harder for women to get into darts. Historically women did not go to pubs to play darts. My grandmother use to play darts at club level and neighbours, men, other women, her family were openly hostile to her. We have years to catch up.

My Nan used to have a ladies darts trophy on her mantlepiece, apparently she was the only one who had entered.

Exactly.
There are reasons why trans people shouldn't be competing in sports as opposite sexes, but we shouldn't let these get mixed up with gender essentialism.

Which is why Andy Murray would be good at darts. Mens darts,since he benefited from male puberty and a male body.

This is happening this afternoon. https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/12924406/womens-world-matchplay-noa-lynn-van-leuven-set-to-be-first-trans-woman-to-play-in-a-tv-darts-tournament

And when playing as part of a national team, if he qualified, is he expecting to share sleeping quarters with a proper female? If so, that idea needs knocking on the head!

Greaves 4-0 Van Leuven

Out!

Nice!