Our introduction to the EuroGames in 2023 wasn’t the most straightforward. We’d both been selected to play for Scotland in floorball, we were training hard and counting down the days until we would fly out to Bern with our team.
Amanda and Rebecca, a married couple from Perth, Scotland, have attended the EuroGames for the past three years, participating in floorball, pickleball, running and bouldering.
Our introduction to the EuroGames in 2023 wasn’t the most straightforward. We’d both been selected to play for Scotland in floorball, we were training hard and counting down the days until we would fly out to Bern with our team. However, a mere couple of weeks before the games, Rebecca learned that she needed urgent eye surgery to save the sight in her right eye and we were initially told that this would mean she was unable to fly. It was a stressful, emotional time, but the surgery was a success and we received the news that Rebecca could fly out to Switzerland to support Amanda and the team, albeit under strict instructions not to risk playing sport.
Despite the rocky start, the games in Bern were Amanda’s favourite of the past three years. The compact city had a vibrant energy throughout the athlete’s village and wider streets, with the additional bonus of the pride celebrations the same weekend really making Bern come alive. The combination of community, sport and celebration created an atmosphere we’ll never forget.
The following year brought yet another hurdle when Rebecca broke her leg playing rugby and missed out on the floorball selection for Vienna 2024. In true Rebecca style, she bounced back and with a change of direction, threw herself into pickleball training.
Vienna was our busiest year sport-wise: Amanda competed in floorball, bouldering and running, whilst Rebecca took on pickleball and running. We were exhausted by the end and didn’t find much time to explore the city (sorry, Vienna- we owe you a proper visit!) but we managed to pick up a silver and two bronze medals between us.
It was certainly ‘third time lucky’ with smoother sailing for Lyon 2025. No major setbacks, no dramatic last-minute changes- we finally got to play on the floorball team together, as well as enjoying the run. Although we didn’t have the same medal success as previous years, we had lots of fun and fell in love with the city itself- with us both scoring goals for our team!
One thing we’ve appreciated most about the EuroGames is the opportunity to take part in so many different sports and we think it’s fantastic to have such variety. Beyond being a hobby, we’ve both built careers in the sport and physical activity sector and recognise firsthand how vital sport is for community building- especially on the scale of the EuroGames. It’s so important to have a space where LGBTQ+ athletes can come together, united by a love of sport. We feel incredibly fortunate to have shared these experiences together and to weave our passion for sport into both our work and our marriage.
We’re already looking forward to Cardiff 2027 and whilst we don’t know what that will hold in terms of which sports we’ll compete in, we know it will be a fantastic atmosphere bringing together LGBTQ+ athletes from all over the world.
‘This article is the perspective of the author and does not necessarily reflect the view of the EGLSF’.
