The British Transplant Games were held recently in Nottingham and Transplant Sport Northern Ireland (TSNI) was well represented with many participants from all over N Ireland. Among them were several of our liver transplant patients, Jim Kilpatrick, Sharon Millen, Paul Lawler, Rachel Chambers, Lucyellen Johnston, Grace Kelly and Indie Hogan.
These games are held each year and the representation from Northern Ireland is increasing year on year. It is a great opportunity to meet and compete with other transplant patients whether they be liver, kidney, lungs or even heart. In addition to this, the competitive spirit and comradery experienced and indeed enjoyed by those who attend add to their overall wellbeing. It is truly an ideal way of making new friends and even, for some, the rekindling of previous expertise.
This year the overall medal count for N Ireland participants was as follows: –
8 x Gold; 14 x Silver and 11 x Bronze.
And those won by liver participants from N Ireland: –
1 x Gold – Sharon (Ladies 3K walk)
6 x Silver – Paul (archery), Jim (10-pin), Sharon (200m & discus), Rachel (discus & long jump)
1 x Bronze – Rachel (archery
In addition, Sharon won the TSNI ‘Best Athlete of the Games’ Award, and Paul was the unanimous winner (along with Sandra) of the TSNI ‘Spirit of the Games’ Award.
We, in the RVH Liver Support Group, would love to see more of our liver patients consider taking part in the games at a future date. And you don’t have to be fully fledged athlete to take part!! There are many games in which you can take part and, so that you know, the next games are planned as follows: (2025 BTG in Oxford 31 Jul – 3 Aug and 2025 World Games in Dresden 17 – 24 August).
The possible entries are Archery, Bowling,10 pin Bowling, Darts, Snooker, Golf, Cycling, Swimming, pétanque, Squash, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Table Tennis, Athletics (100m,200m,400m,800m, 1500m), Discus, Shot Put, Javelin, Long Jump and High Jump.
In addition, there are also many sports specifically geared towards transplanted children of all ages who, in our case, would compete with Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Would you like to take part in the Games next year? Please email us at rvhlsg@gmail.com with the heading “transplant games” and we will send out further information. And, don’t forget, there is no need to be a former sports competitor!!
