Wales Transplant Sports Team Aims to Provide More Opportunities for Transplant Patients

Part of the Wales transplant team, Shaun Ruck and Shaun Thomas shared their story with us, Shaun.R from the perspective of a transplant patient turned Transplant Football Team Manager, and Shaun.T from a non-patient perspective as renal youth worker and Wales Team Manager.

Shaun.R has been a kidney patient since birth, having been diagnosed with kidney dysplasia, where the internal structures of one or both kidneys do not develop normally while in the womb. Receiving his first transplant at the age of 6, he led an active childhood, playing both football and cricket for local teams, and competing in four Transplant Games as a youngster before the first transplant failed after 10 years. Despite considering himself lucky to be able to be so active, and to not need dialysis until the age of 16, Shaun recalls that needing dialysis in his late-teens not only affected his fitness levels, but also impacted him socially, as at times, he missed out on the connection with other teens.

Shaun. T, as a renal youth worker, agrees that maintaining an active life both pre and post transplant is crucial, regardless of age, and that combining a social aspect to activities helps to maintain both health and social connection.

The Importance of Getting Active After a Transplant

With more research into the benefits of exercise for transplant patients, Shaun.R shares the difference between the post-surgery advice after his second transplant nearly 15 years ago, to the advice that is given today. Whereas he was encouraged to get up and move around quite quickly after the surgery, there was little information on maintaining fitness, and the benefit that might have to the longevity of the transplanted organ.

Now however, across the board, transplant units now look at the person as a whole, and their lifestyle, and encourage continuation of activity post-transplant, with a view to returning to more intense activity as soon as it’s appropriate. Thomas adds that it’s not only conventional fitness that is important, but also the everyday activities that can sometimes be overlooked, such as walking, gardening, getting out with the family, or other activities outside of a gym-setting, like cycling or hiking.

Transplant Sport & The Transplant Games

In 2019 the British Transplant Games came to Wales, for the first time in many years, inspiring the Wales team managers to try to expand their athlete cohort, having entered less than 10 athletes in past Games. Eager to demonstrate the talent of Wales transplant athletes to the rest of the UK, Shaun.R, Shaun.T and the rest of the managers, increased their team size to over 30 with everyone coming home having achieved a medal at the Games. A huge achievement for all involved. Competing under the new name of Wales Transplant Team, this pan-Wales collective encompassed not only those who’d had their transplants in Wales, but also patients who had their transplant aftercare provided by the main Wales transplant unit. This newly established team had extra pride and drive for success in the 2019 Games and beyond.

The most well-established of the Wales Team is almost certainly the football team, not only because we were talking to their team manager, but also because of the reach it has beyond the Transplant Games. Having regular training sessions throughout the year, under the direction of an experienced coach, provides team members with a continued support system. The football team evolved from a previous venture with the Can Do project, helping young people find sport and activity. Having previously only met once a month, the team competed under the Wales flag in the 2019 games, and since then the team has flourished.

The Future of Transplant Sport & How to Get Involved

For anyone interested in discovering Transplant Sport, there are many ways you can get involved. Shaun.R suggests first having a look at what activities you can find in your local area, or returning to a sport you’ve taken part in prior to your transplant. If you’ve found something you enjoy, the next step would be to bring this up at your next clinic appointment. Your renal team will likely have an ear to the ground in terms of what transplant sports teams are nearby, or if any are being developed and created. In addition to this, you’ll also be part of a wider community, all with a common ground, and the shared experience of being a transplant patient.

The whole of Team Wales have grand plans, aside from of course success at the 2022 British Transplant Games in Leeds. It took 6 years for the Wales Transplant football team to properly find its feet, and they would love to see the same development for opportunities in other sports and encouraging more women and girls into sport. They hope that more awareness and success in the next Games will also encourage more Welsh transplant patients to get involved with sport, not only for the Games and for being a transplant athlete, but also to benefit their health and fitness. Beyond that, the hope for a wider team of managers, currently a voluntary role, and most importantly the opportunity to support more transplant patients.

For More Information

If you'd like to get involved with a transplant sport, chat to your renal team, or head to British Transplant Games