The inaugural Irish Transplant Soccer team took part in an international soccer tournament in Solihull, Birmingham, this past weekend. The team consisted of 11 transplant recipients – 3 heart, 1 double lung, 2 liver, 4 kidney and 1 bone marrow. Each has an extraordinary story and each showcases the power of organ donation. The players came together with a dream of representing their country in a sport they love and enjoy, and in doing so honoured their donors and donor families, and helped to raise awareness of organ donation.
The age of the Irish team ranged from early 20s to early 50s, with over 100 years combined of transplanted life. After four gruelling, well-fought matches where the team won two and drew two, they qualified for the final. Even though they did not win the final, they were overjoyed to take the silver medal position. This was truly a brilliant example of organ donation working at its best. Next on their agenda is taking part in the British Transplant Games in Coventry next July, and then the team will be challenging for the first ever World Cup Transplant Soccer Tournament in Italy next year.
Transplant Team Ireland is not all about medal success – it is a celebration of life through sport. Medals are great and hard-earned, but the real success is each and every athlete who takes part in these games. While their stories are unique, they share a common bond of facing adversity. Team Ireland showcases the success of organ donation and transplantation, while offering inspiration to those who are newly-transplanted or newly-diagnosed with organ failure. The team has one simple request to everyone – please consider carrying an Organ Donor Card and Have the Conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation.
If you would like to join the team or become involved in any way, check out the social media Facebook page – Soccer Transplant Team Ireland or the website www.soccertransplantte amireland.ie
You can also email info@soccertransplant steamireland.ie or transplantsportire land@gmail.com