North Haven’s Wayne Garvan is off to Sweden this month, representing Australia in ten pin bowling and petanque (like bocce) at the World Transplant Games.
He’s no stranger to representative sport, earning gold and bronze medals for lawn bowls at the NSW and Australian Transplant Games for the last five years.
“But there’s no lawn bowls in Sweden so I’ve taken up ten pin and petanque,” Wayne said.
After picking up gold medals in lawn bowls the Australian committee suggested Wayne take up another sport to enure he could compete in Sweden.
He’s since made himself a regular at the Port City Wave Bowl and his rapid improvement saw Wayne earn player of the month in March.
“I play every Monday night for the past four or five months,” Wayne said.
“My nephew plays in the comp with me. I’ll keep playing ten pin too after I come back.”
As for petanque, Wayne played in a come-and-try day in Newcastle run by the transplant games committee and his natural bowling skill stood him in good stead.
“I don’t think I’ll be in contention for the medals in ten pin or petanque, I just want to be competitive,” he said.
Wayne’s family is a great support to him. His biggest fan is his father Reg. The two play lawn bowls at North Haven and Lake Cathie Bowling Clubs several days a week.
“Having known what transplant patients go through in the lead up to and following the operation, I’m just amazed at what they can achieve. They’re amazing and the competition is fierce,” he said.
“When you see these people in action it’s marvellous and you’ve got to spare a thought for the donors too because without their sacrifice, these athletes would not be alive.
“These athletes were very sick people and now they are such a happy lot, really getting out there and enjoying life and making the best of it.”
Seven years ago Wayne received a kidney from his mother Eileen after a long history of ill health.
“I’ve had kidney trouble since birth, only one worked properly,” Wayne said.
“Then it finally packed it in.”
Wayne said without his mother’s donation he would not have survived. Sadly, Eileen passed away two years ago after battling a brain tumour.
The Australian team will play at the World Transplant Games from June 17 to 24. Australia is sending 85 athletes and 90 supporters to the games. Wayne and Reg then plan to make the most of their trip by touring Europe before heading back to North Haven.
Wayne is already looking forward to future transplant games. Next year the Australian Transplant Games will be in Newcastle and Wayne is hoping to compete in lawn bowls, ten pin and petanque. The next World Transplant Games will be in South Africa in two years time and Wayne expects lawn bowls will be back on the program.
The World Transplant Games was established 20 years ago to highlight the success of transplant surgery and raise awareness of the need to increase organ donation. Over 1500 athletes represent 69 countries compete at an extraordinarily high level.
0 COMMENTS:
Post a Comment