Transplant recipients from 11 nations came together for the inaugural Transplant Football World Cup, held in Cervia, Italy from 8 – 14 September 2024.
It was a fiercely contested event, with countries drawn into two pools. Australia was in Group B along with some of the tournament favourites, Spain, Chile and host nation Italy.
The team arrived in Cervia three days prior to the competition, a chance to adjust to the time zone, temperature, and settle in for the week. It was a great opportunity to get in some training sessions too, but it wasn’t all work, the team made the most of the bonding time with a trip to Rimini to watch a local Serie C match and soak up some of the atmosphere and culture.
As the other nations began to arrive, the anticipation began to rise, and the nerves began to build toward the first day of competition and match 1 against Spain.
The team went down 5 – 2 to Spain but showed true Aussie grit despite nerves and the magnitude of the event getting the better of them at times.
The team had one win and three losses, not enough to make it out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds. One thing that stood out to all those who played and attended was the team’s sportsmanship and camaraderie, to their opponents, officials and supporters.
The power of the beautiful game truly knows no bounds, it inspires and bonds people from all over the world. While the team did not place in this first World Cup, they were awarded something far more valuable – the Fair Play Award for the tournament, a testament to the calibre of the individual athletes and the team they created. They were also able to inspire, inform and spread the important message of organ and tissue donation.
Following the tournament the team have enjoyed some much needed down time. Doing things that at one time in their life they could only dream of: travelling, visiting homelands and even an engagement!
The team are building on the legacy that Matty Hempstalk has created, and we thank the Hempstalk family for their generous support throughout the weeklong competition.
The team would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to their supporters and sponsors; Weetbix, The PFA, Transplant Australia, World Transplant Games Federation, Camryn Milne (Coach), Monty Summers (S&C Coach), Kate Clark (Team Manager), family, friends and colleagues. The Australian Team’s participation at the first Transplant Football World Cup was a collective effort and a shared success that would not have been possible with your unwavering support.
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