The first football team for organ transplant recipients in Scotland is hoping to be the first squad of its kind to represent the country at a major tournament this year.
The Scotland Transplant Active Football Team was set up just last year, after Scotland was the only home nation not represented at the inaugural Transplant Football World Cup, which took place in Cervia, Italy, in September.
With the European Transplant Football Championship taking place in Oxford this April, the Scottish team is on the lookout for new players to strengthen their chances of success.
Existing players have launched fundraising efforts to help them get to the tournament alongside their training.
Duncan MacAulay, from Inverness, founded the team initially after he was surprised Scotland did not field a team at the World Cup, which was won by Chile, who beat Spain to lift the trophy, with England finishing third.
He contacted Transplant Active, the charity promoting active recovery for transplant recipients. With the organisation working to develop football as a safe transplant sport over the last 10 years, he wanted to ask why Scotland hadn’t been represented so far.
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Speaking to the Daily Record, Duncan said: “I was told, ‘Scotland doesn’t do football’. I nearly fell off my chair.” He believes a huge contributing factor is a lack of awareness about transplant sport.
As a heart transplant recipient himself, Duncan took matters into his own hands. He set up a Facebook page in September calling for potential players, and started receiving interest.
In November, he announced the first training session, which has now become a monthly fixture at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell. However, following some unfortunate injuries, he is urging for more people to join them.
The team is mixed gender, and will feature a squad of at least 10 players, with a maximum of 16, at each competitive event. Participants must have received a life-sustaining solid organ, including stem cell transplant that requires or has required the use of immunosuppressive drug therapy.
Duncan said: “We as a team acknowledge through organ donation, we have all received a second chance and will actively promote the importance of more people telling their family and friends they wish to donate, so that families do not refuse to give consent because of a lack of knowledge.
“We aim to promote active recovery for transplant recipients, through participation in team sport and the opportunity to play football locally, nationally and internationally, improving fitness and mental health.”
Each of the current members has set up a fundraising page, with the aim of raising £500 each to cover their accommodation and other expenses for the European tournament.
Martin McIntosh, from Falkirk, was one of the first people who responded to Duncan’s call for players. The 38-year-old had a kidney transplant in 2022, and wanted to prove that living a full life is possible after a transplant.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “Taking part in the football team is so important to raise awareness, and it just goes to show you can still do the things you want after having a transplant.”
With the team receiving messages of encouragement from Scotland national captain Andy Robertson, and former player Colin Hendry, motivation has been high, despite time pressure to raise the necessary funds.
Duncan MacAulay added: “The guys are up against it to raise money, but I’d love to see them do it. We might not be the most competitive team, but we do have fun.”
For more information, visit Scotland Transplant Active Football on Facebook.
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