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The Transplant Swimming UK Masters Club was established in 2017 with two core aims: to demonstrate what is possible in life after organ transplantation, and to provide transplant swimmers with greater opportunities to gain race experience in the build-up to national and international competition.
From the outset, it has been about more than swimming alone. It is about visibility, confidence, and community - showing that life after transplant can be active, competitive, and full of achievement. It also exists to help swimmers prepare for the demands of competing at higher levels, including at the British, European and World Transplant Games.
Over the years, our swimmers have competed at masters galas across the UK - instantly recognisable in our pink caps and T-shirts. These events are not just about racing; they are also an opportunity to start conversations. Time and again, fellow swimmers come over to share their own personal connections to organ donation and transplantation, highlighting just how many lives are touched by this incredible gift.
These conversations also provide an important reminder: while organ donation in England operates on an opt-out system, families are still consulted at the point of donation and can ultimately override the decision. That is why we continue to encourage open conversations within families about organ donation wishes. With so many people still waiting for a life-saving transplant, clarity and communication can make all the difference.
Our swimmers range in age from 18 into their 80s, and include athletes with experience at the highest levels of the sport, including British Olympic Trials. While the team is unified at competitions, members are geographically spread across the country and do not train together regularly. Instead, they come together at selected meets throughout the year to race as a team and represent Transplant Swimming.
Many members train with their local masters clubs - for example, some swim with City of Cambridge Masters and others with Portsmouth Northsea. However, not all swimmers have access to a local club and many train independently. For these athletes, being part of Transplant Swimming provides vital connection, motivation, and structured race opportunities. It also offers valuable preparation for those selected to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games.
"At its heart, Transplant Swimming is about resilience, community, and using sport to celebrate life after transplant while continuing to promote the importance of organ donation."
Note from the Chairperson
“Since our founding in 2017, the Transplant Swimming Club has been about showing what’s possible in life after a transplant and giving transplant swimmers the chance to compete at national and international levels. At competitions across the UK, we proudly wear our pink t-shirts and pink swim caps, sparking conversations and raising awareness about organ donation and the life-saving impact it can have. Beyond supporting our members in masters swimming, we hope to inspire young transplant swimmers, showing them that despite the challenges they face, they can continue to enjoy the sport and thrive well into adulthood. Our club exists to provide that support, encouragement, and a sense of community for anyone whose life has been transformed by a transplant.”
Liam Barnett - Transplant Swimming Club Chair Person.
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