National Swim Coach ticks bucket list for ailing friend

Imagine realising a life-long dream when one least expected. That was the fortune of Timothy Hands, who got to meet members of the Australia Rugby teams that competed at the XXII Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, England.

And, making all this happen last Monday, August 1, was St Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Swim Coach Kyle Dougan.

A close friend of Hands for many years, Dougan jumped at the opportunity to fulfil his passion by organizing a brief “Meet and Greet” session with the Australians at the Warwick Games Village.

Overjoyed by the occasion, Hands expressed delight in being up close with some of the players, whom he only gets to view on television.
“It is really amazing, a great opportunity to meet some fantastic athletes… The Australians are among the top teams in the world and it is worth a visit, and get a chance to say hello to them and talk about the sport,” an elated Hands commented after the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The moment became grander by the hospitable nature of the Australian players and officials, who were more than glad to make the visit special for Hands.

A Rugby player at the school and club levels, Hands thanked Dougan for going all out to make the occasion possible.

“Kyle (Dougan) organized all of this for me and I really appreciate it… I have known Kyle for some time, through my wife Michelle… In fact, I visited St Vincent (and the Grenadines) some year ago… I like it there… It is a fantastic place,” Hands admitted.

Moved by the satisfaction of facilitating the visit for Hands and his wife, Dougan said it was a selfless effort.

“He really likes Rugby and he is suffering an ailment, so I just wanted to give him a nice experience and fulfil one of his burning desires,” Dougan related.

Dougan, though, was in high praise for Chief of Mission of the St Vincent and the Grenadines contingent to the Commonwealth Games, Claude Bascombe Jr., who was instrumental in securing the necessary accreditation and authentication, for the Hands to enter the Athletes Village.

Dougan thus thanked all who were responsible for making the dream come true.