Ally Pally's first transgender player QUITS darts for a period for mental health reasons - after calling female stars who tried to ban her 'toxic b***hes'
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The first top transgender player in darts has revealed she will be taking a break from the sport to prioritise her mental health. Dutch star Noa-Lynn van Leuven, 28, made her World Championship debut last month as she lost in the opening round at Alexandra Palace to her fellow countryman Kevin Doets.
![[Van Leuven made her World Championship debut at Alexandra Palace last month]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/08/93949887-14269769-image-a-10_1736498260275.jpg)
She returned to action when she entered Q-School this week, where players compete to qualify for major tournaments. However, after being eliminated in the early stages, Van Leuven confirmed that she is quitting darts for a period after struggling to find her best form.
![[Her decision to temporarily quit the sport comes after some female rivals, including British star Deta Hedman (pictured) called for transgender players to be banned from women's events]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/08/93949837-14269769-image-a-11_1736498281273.jpg)
Posting on Instagram, Van Leuven wrote: 'Unfortunately, I didn't play my best matches. The truth is that my head hasn't been in the right place for a while. I've been struggling with my mental health for months, every time a tournament comes around. 'I've tried to push it aside, but this time I haven't been able to. Focusing on darts, while old traumas from the events of the past year are flaring up, doesn't work. It's time to prioritise my mental health and work on getting better.'.
![[Anca Zijlstra (left) and Aileen de Graaf (right) refused to play in the same team as Van Leuven]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/08/93949957-14269769-image-a-18_1736498407294.jpg)
She concluded her post by vowing to return to the sport when she is ready, adding: 'This isn’t the end of my journey, just a step back to move forward. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me along the way – I appreciate it more than I can put into words.'.
![[Van Leuven said she received daily death threats online after her own team-mates turned against her]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/08/93950051-14269769-image-a-19_1736498528581.jpg)
Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven (pictured) has announced she is taking a break from the sport. Van Leuven made her World Championship debut at Alexandra Palace last month. Her decision to temporarily quit the sport comes after some female rivals, including British star Deta Hedman (pictured) called for transgender players to be banned from women's events.
