British Transplant Games
Team manager Catharine Hall took a smaller than usual team to the British Transplant Games this year. In total 21 competitors made the short journey to South Wales for the event. The close proximity of the event to the World Transplant Games meant a number of those selected for GB duty sat out the UK games to keep their personal costs down as is often the way.
We have also had some regular team members with health issues and one with a new transplant and they were sorely missed. We wish them all well and hope to see them back next time.
Venues for sports were primarily in and around Newport with the closing gala night taking place at the Celtic Manor resort where entertainment was provided by the Bootleg Beatles.
Although we were stoutly defending the overall team trophy having won it for the previous two years it was always going to be difficult to retain with a number of the team’s top performers absent. This proved to be the case but we still managed a top ten spot with seventh overall which is not bad at all.
In total the team brought 29 medals back across the bridge. 15 Gold, 11 Silver and 3 Bronze. Well done to all concerned!
We welcomed a number of new members to the team who all seemed to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy competing.
Being a relatively local games BAKPA had a stand at the athletics track on the final day which seemed to go well. The tombola was well supported and the stand saw plenty of traffic. A total of £173 was raised.
Next years British games are based in and around Coventry/Warwick and take place from 30th July – 2nd August 2020. Personal performance at these games will form the basis of selection for the GB team who will compete at the next World Games in Houston Texas in 2021.
If you are interested in competing in the British games please email Catharine Hall at catharinehall@hotmail.com for further details.