Darts Regulation Authority bans transgender players from women’s tournaments
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has announced that transgender players are no longer allowed to participate in women’s tournaments, with the policy taking effect today, reports BritPanorama.
According to the new eligibility rules, only biological females may enter women’s competitions governed by DRA regulations. This decision aims to ensure fair competition in the sport.
The ruling follows a comprehensive review of the DRA’s previous Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which began last year and considered extensive legal guidance and scientific analysis. Dr Emma Hilton, a developmental biologist, conducted this review, finding that darts should be classified as a “gender-affected sport” under Section 195 of the Equality Act 2010.
Dr Hilton’s findings indicated that several physical differences contribute to an advantage for male competitors, such as taller stature, longer limbs, increased muscle mass, and enhanced stability and throwing mechanics. She emphasized that these factors significantly impact consistency and precision in darts.
The review also took into account a last year’s judgment from the UK Supreme Court regarding the For Women Scotland case. This ruling directly affects Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a Dutch transgender player who has previously secured multiple women’s titles and can no longer compete in such events. Van Leuven has described the DRA’s decision as “a huge hit for the trans community.”
During 2024 and 2025, she won six women’s titles and held a reserved place for women at the world championships. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, welcomed the announcement, stating that darts represents a male-dominated environment where men’s physical advantages, although small, accumulate to warrant separate tournaments for women. She noted that some female players withdrew from the Dutch national team rather than compete alongside a male participant.
The DRA has reaffirmed that open tournaments remain accessible to all competitors, regardless of biological sex, legal sex, or gender identity. This ruling marks a notable point in the ongoing debate surrounding gender and competition within sports.
As the discussion about inclusion in sport continues, this decision highlights the complexities of ensuring fairness while addressing the rights of all participants. In darts, where precision can sway outcomes, the implications of such rulings will resonate far beyond the oche.
