Protest at Women’s World Matchplay: "Save Women’s Sport" Campaign Targets Noa-Lynn van Leuven
During the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Matchplay darts tournament on Sunday, three activists from the "Save Women’s Sport" campaign staged a protest at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The demonstration coincided with Dutch competitor Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s match against Lorraine Winstanley, as the protesters attempted to distribute leaflets criticizing van Leuven’s participation in the event.
The protest unfolded as van Leuven made her third appearance at the iconic venue. Security personnel quickly intervened, forcibly removing two of the activists while a third recorded the incident. Despite their efforts to resist, the demonstrators shouted their objections as they were escorted out of the arena.
One of the protesters, writer Jean Hatchet, later shared a video of the encounter on social media platform X, stating, "This is the footage of the moment we were removed for standing up at Women’s World Matchplay Darts, which allowed Noa-Lynn van Leuven to compete against women." She directed her comments at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), criticizing their security measures.
Despite the disruption caused by the protest, Noa-Lynn van Leuven remained focused and delivered an impressive performance, defeating Winstanley with a decisive 4-0 victory. This win secured her a place in the semi-finals of the tournament.
In a recent interview, van Leuven expressed her determination to continue competing despite the ongoing controversy surrounding her participation. "I love this game too much to let anyone else ruin my passion for darts," she stated. "It feels amazing to be back in such an iconic venue. Last year, I lacked confidence, but I’ve gained valuable stage experience since then."
Van Leuven also shared her approach to the tournament this year, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game and maintaining a positive mindset. "I want to win a few games, and if I can win three, that would be fantastic," she added. "I’ve taken some time to relax and find the joy in life, and I believe my game is on point."
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on van Leuven as she strives to navigate both her passion for darts and the challenges that come with it.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Women’s World Matchplay and other exciting sports news!
