Sports Chaplaincy Australia... A case study

Your team has it all together – right?  Your teammates are always happy, no issue, life is a dream.

Don’t we all wish.  Life simply happens, it is colourful, messy and changes shape constantly.  What do you think your team / club might look like if you had a volunteer that was available to provide support for individuals in a flexible and holistic way?  Someone that was friendly, approachable, stayed neutral, providing care to your team / club needs.  That someone is a sports chaplain.

The President of Gazelles, a local netball club in Castle Hill, speaks on why having a sports chaplain in a club is important.

“When we took on a sports chaplain at our club I can honestly say we weren’t really sure what that meant, or what the benefits to us would be.  We thought it was a nice idea and we had an incredible person who was already an integral club member put her hand up to say that she wanted to act in that role.  So of course we said yes.  But we really didn’t understand the impact it would have.  Not long after our chaplain started we had a critical incident involving a club member that impacted many of us.  Our chaplain was able to not only act as support for this member’s family, but others in the club.  She was able to explain to others what could help and what wouldn’t and be there for all of us when we didn’t know what to do or where to go. She was our voice of reason and a guiding hand through a very difficult and emotional time."

"Since then, having a sports chaplain on the sidelines each week has proven invaluable.  She has been there to chat to families and members when they needed support.  She has been able to provide us with feedback that we wouldn’t have received otherwise as members have opened up to her and have felt comfortable sharing with her.  She has noticed things happening that may have become issues but has been able to get on top of them before this happened.  She has also been a huge support to me as President, assisting me in dealing with any conflict and helping me to learn and build confidence in my new role as well as pointing out differences and opportunities in a new committee.  I honestly don’t think our club would be the wonderful community it is without her.”

If you would like a volunteer sports chaplain to respond to your clubs needs, foster emotional and spiritual wellbeing for all members regardless of age, background, faith or nationally then look us up – www.sportschaplaincy.com.au. Sports Chaplaincy Australia voluntarily serves through pastoral care and social and emotional comfort for everyone connected to sports.