British Transplant Games – Oxford 2025
In late July, Oxfordshire hosted the 2025 edition of the British Transplant Games (BTG). Following an Opening Ceremony in the opulent grounds of Blenheim Palace, battle commenced across 25 sports covering a diverse range from Volleyball to Darts and Petanque to Squash.
The eligibility criteria is quite exclusive in that you need to have been provided with a new body part to replace the one that had not been working quite so well but nevertheless around 30 very keen individuals rocked up for the Squash at the Oxford University courts on the Iffley Road.
One such participant was local lad James Lawton. At 26, he was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a condition that was manageable until just after turning forty when a rapid deterioration in his liver led to a transplant a short while later. Having first learnt of the existence of the BTG some years earlier, it was during his stay in intensive care that James registered his application to compete and in two disciplines, squash and tennis, sports he had participated in during his youth.
Cleared to play just six months after his transplant, James has since taken part in three BTG’s, coming away with two gold’s and a silver in the Squash 40-49 age category and has been selected to represent GB at the forthcoming World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.
He has also joined the University Squash Club and is having lessons with County Coach, Jason Varrie. Unbeknown to James (until now that is!), I shall be tapping him up shortly to join the University community sides playing in the Oxfordshire Leagues.
On that sweltering day a few weeks ago, a packed balcony bore witness to an afternoon of squash with no little skill on parade, provided by both female and male aged 18 to believe it or not, 89 (and what an impressive head of hair that gentleman possessed)! Unfortunately for James, it was silver this time around as he came up a real good ‘un in John Paul O’Neill all the way from Carlow, County Kilkenny.
Handshakes exchanged, medals dispensed, our heroes now moved on to the next stage of their four day adventure. For some it was Darts and Petanque, but for others the usual go to’s of Football, Swimming and Cycling.
‘Having seen my body at its absolute weakest with the future far from certain, post-transplant, I have energy levels I haven’t known for years and it’s an incredible joy to be playing and competing.’ James continues, ‘The BTG brings together so many amazing people with equally amazing stories of overcoming huge health issues and all of us are only here because of the generosity of our organ donors.’
As part of the balcony presence that day, but ineligible to participate, I found it quite humbling to be surrounded by so many well-rounded and competitive people.
See photos below.
James Lawton receiving his medal
40-49 Podium (L to R)
James Lawton (Silver), John Paul O’Neill (Gold), Mark Harrington (Bronze)