Sports ChaplainsThe National Centre for Evangelisation (NCE) is sponsoring up to 10 Australian Catholics to train as sports chaplains, in the hope of increasing awareness of sports chaplaincy among Catholics and drawing upon their experience for future networks and evangelisation.

Facilitated by the national peak body for sports chaplains, Sports Chaplaincy Australia (SCA), the course provides the necessary skills and knowledge to serve as a sports chaplain in a community club setting. It is typically run online over a six-week period, and is also offered in-person at various locations several times each year.

SCA have two confirmed training courses scheduled for the remainder of the year, however more may be released:

  • Online – commencing Monday October 20 at 7.30pm (AEDT) and then each Monday for 6 weeks until November 24
  • In-person – September 5 and 6 in Bendigo, Victoria

The sponsorship will cover the $330 training fee for each participant. Upon completion of the training, participants will be eligible to apply for accreditation with SCA as a sports chaplain and to be placed in a sporting club.

Supporting Catholics to become involved in sports chaplaincy is part of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry’s (BCELM) continued work in the area of sports ministry.

In February 2023, the Commission hosted an online consultation for Catholics interested in sport, which recommended the NCE offer financial support for Catholics to complete sports chaplaincy training.

In June 2024 the BCELM released a statement on sport and faith ‘Open the Way to Christ: Fostering a Pastoral Ministry of Sport’. Later in the year, the NCE released a sports prayer resource, ‘Running to God: A Collection of Prayers for Sport’.

The sponsorship will be renewed in 2026, with future support yet to be confirmed.

SCA was established in 1984 and is the national network for volunteer sports chaplains, who serve clubs and communities in sports including football, cricket, netball and motor racing, among others, at both local and elite levels.

In 2024, the organisation faced significant financial challenges, leading to administration and re-establishment. SCA’s National Ministry Leader Luke Connaughton says despite the difficulties, the organisation is more committed than ever to its work.

“Our conviction that SCA is a ministry birthed and sustained by God is stronger than ever,” he says. “Since the re-establishment of SCA in late 2024, we’ve seen undeniable evidence of God’s favour and faithfulness.

“This has been evident in the substantial progress made to date towards ongoing financial and organisational stability, and especially clear in the significant ministry progress that has occurred.”

There are currently almost 500 chaplains in sporting clubs and communities around Australia who are accredited with SCA.

Catholics interested in completing the sports chaplaincy training course can submit a brief application for sponsorship on the NCE’s website, as well as a letter of support/recommendation from their parish priest. If approved, participants will then need to register with SCA for their selected training course.

For further details and to apply, go to https://nce.catholic.org.au/culture/sports/chaplaincy

 

Image: Sports Chaplaincy Australia
Words: Matthew Biddle