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’

Darts’ first transgender top player has revealed she will be taking a break from the sport to prioritize her mental health.

Dutch star Noa-Lynn van Leuven, 28, made her World Cup debut last month when she lost to compatriot Kevin Doets in the opening round at Alexandra Palace.

She returned to action this week when she attended Q-School, where players compete to qualify for major tournaments. However, after being knocked out in the early stages, Van Leuven confirmed that she will be taking a break from darts for a while after struggling to find her best form.

Van Leuven wrote on Instagram: ‘Unfortunately I didn’t play my best matches. The truth is, 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 takes place.

‘I tried to push it aside, but this time I couldn’t. Focusing on darts, while old traumas from the events of the past year surface, does not work. It’s time to prioritize my mental health and work on getting better.”

She concluded her post with a promise to return to the sport when she is ready, adding: “This is not the end of my journey, just a step back to move forward. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. I appreciate it more than I can express in words.”

Van Leuven made her World Cup 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

Van Leuven, who started her transition as a teenager, had a breakthrough in 2024 when she won several women’s tournaments.

However, her success was not welcomed by all players as some of her female rivals, including British star Deta Hedman, called for transgender players to be banned from women’s events.

Van Leuven hit back in October when she labeled those who wanted to remove her from tournaments as ‘toxic b***hes’.

She said:I thought the world should know. This is discrimination. With darts we have been thrown back forty years.’

She later told the Dutch outlet NOW: ‘They (other players) secretly tell me that they don’t understand the commotion. But there are a lot of conservative, toxic b***hes on the women’s tour.

‘They see me as a threat. I’m throwing well now (on the women’s tour) because I feel more comfortable.

‘It’s a matter of putting in the money and hours. Not many women do that, but I do. I have proven that I can also win men over.’

Van Leuven was also rejected by her own teammates earlier in 2024, when Dutch duo Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf left the national team in March after refusing to play with her.

Van Leuven then revealed that she received daily death threats on social media, but vowed to continue playing because of her love of darts.

Anca Zijlstra (left) and Aileen de Graaf (right) refused to play in the same team as Van Leuven

Van Leuven said she received daily death threats online after her own teammates turned against her

“We all remember when my Dutch teammates withdrew,” Van Leuven said, quoted by The sun.

‘I received so many hate messages on my socials. People recognized me on the street. Most were fine and supportive.

“But those messages, like death threats… how many did I get? On a daily basis? During that period, yes.

“I love this game so I’ll keep playing,” she added.

However, Van Leuven has now chosen to take a step back from the sport, after admitting she has struggled with her mental health in recent times.