Bravehearts - Scotland’s Transplant Team

Recently, we saw the ugly side of football, however, there are other sides which show just why we love the game. No matter your background or ability, whether you are able-bodied or not, there are so many things that bring people from every walk of life together to play the beautiful game that we call football.  I’d like to introduce you to one aspect of this beautiful game that, perhaps, you didn’t know existed…

Scotland's first transplant team – a group of players who have all had some form of medical transplant - was founded over a decade ago by Duncan Macaulay, a fire fighter from Inverness and a heart-transplant recipient.  He was surprised that Scotland didn't have a team at the Transplant World Cup which, back then, was won by Chile, beating Spain in the final to lift the trophy.  Duncan then got in touch with Transplant Active, the charity promoting active recovery for transplant recipients. Their work included developing football as a safe sport. Duncan set up a Facebook page in 2014 calling for potential players and soon started receiving interest, so much so that he was able to create a mixed gender squad who could represent their country.This squad has to be made up of between 10 to 16 players who have undergone a solid organ transplant, including stem cell, which has required the used of immunosuppressive drug therapy.

Transplant football is a 7-a-side game with 20 minutes halves. There are also within the limits of the squad, unlimited substitutions allowed. Other requirements are no slide tackling, no arm or other body contact with opponents’ chests – and, as in able-bodied football, shin guards are mandatory.

At the end of May this year, there will be a Transplant Sport Football Tournament held at the Ross County ground in Dingwall, featuring all four Home Nations.  I wholeheartedly recommend that if you are in the area at the end of May you get along and watch some real sportsmen and women, who have been through a really tough time in their lives, enjoy themselves playing this beautiful game.

Michael McEwan, Ops Team, The SFU