English Football Scottish Football Non-league Football Horse Racing Paralympics Commonwealth Games Belfast – 26 July-10 August 2013 Motor

developing outside the UK as we have become to understand that the model of It was a great privilege to be able to be demonstrated in a myriad of practical “We have chaplaincy integrated with professional bodies here is globally unique and more involved in providing chaplaincy cover for ways, perhaps best exemplified by and more countries are calling on our the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast a local prison chaplain who offered experience to help them replicate the last summer. The WPFGis a biennial event hospitality (at home not work!) to a grown to success. for serving and retired police, fire, prison stranded Russian competitor and by one A key scripture for us has been Luke 10:1 and border security officers and, in terms of our chaplains who transported three as the disciples went two by two, it has of participation, it is the third largest competitors to their venue in his own prompted us not only to seek to develop international multi-sport event in the world. car after they had missed their bus. over 310 chaplaincies in twos, but also on a macro With over 7000 competitors from sixty Chaplains were also invited to take level to find partners who will help to seven countries descending on Northern part in the moving memorial service sustain the work. More news we hope on Ireland, it was also the largest sporting in St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast; chaplains ” this in 2014. event ever to take place in the Province. this is a central part of the Games, I’d like to encourage you to read the articles I can only describe 2013 as an incredible year, inside and pray for all those involved that This was only the third time that the Games commemorating officers who have as we have grown to over 310 chaplains and seek to serve, purely motivated by Jesus’ had been staged in in their twenty lost their lives in the line of duty down made some new inroads into Paralympic compassion for all. Finally early in 2014 Rev eight year history and the first to take place through the years. sport and event chaplaincy. All this John Boyers will be stepping down from anywhere in the British Isles. The chaplaincy service was warmly progress was made possible by the grace Sports Chaplaincy UK, whilst continuing to As in London 2012, the chaplaincy team commended by organisers at the end of of God, bold decisions and the courage of be chaplain at Manchester United. No-one for WPFG2013 was recruited and trained the Games. people full of faith as they have stepped will know the sacrifices he has made over under the umbrella of the overall Volunteer out and up, to take on the challenges the years, but he has built a foundation of Programme for the Games and all of our before them. At this point I would like sports chaplaincy that leads the world and chaplains were fully accredited volunteers Andrew Thompson especially to thank all our trustees, pastoral for that we praise God. I personally want to who proudly wore the black and red team Chaplain to Ulster Rugby directors and their families for the work and thank him for his unwavering support and uniform. Our chaplains were drawn from progress we have been able to make as a kind advice he has provided to me behind team. A massive thank you of course also to a broad range of backgrounds – we had the scenes this year. our many volunteers which we recognise Keep praying for all the chaplains, more local Sports Chaplaincy UKchaplains who is only made possible by the support than anything we need Jesus’ strength and are working regularly on the ground in of your families, churches and Christian favour to go about our work. NIreland and these were supplemented organisations which we are truly grateful by others involved in sports ministry, local for, our unsung heroes. Admin address: Richard Gamble prison and fire chaplains, together with Sports Chaplaincy UK 2013 also saw some new opportunities CEO representatives of Firefighters For Christ PO Box 123, Sale @sportschaplain and the Christian Police Association from Cheshire M33 4ZA across the UK, as well as one or two North [email protected] American chaplains. 0800 181 4051 Many significant contacts were made, many meaningful conversations took place with sportschaplaincy.org.uk folk from right across the whole Games community and the love of Christ was Sports Chaplaincy UK is a Registered Charity (No. 1005446) IMAGES Graham Morris www.cricketpix.com (Professional Football image) thinkstockphotos.co.uk (Background images) All Ability Eirian Wyyn - Swansea City FC academy chaplain Motor (2012 SCUK Conference images)

Design by Gamble Designs www.gambledesigns.co.uk 2013 has seen chaplaincy continue to Sport Sport expand at all levels throughout English and God has truly blessed us in the last year, Christian sports chaplaincy in the disabled Welsh Football. There are now approximately providing many opportunities to share in sporting world is growing. The second half of 120 chaplains working throughout the the lives of many people, and it is through 2013 saw the signing of a formal engagement football pyramid from the Premier League such occasions that we are able to share agreement between Sports Chaplaincy UK to the Conference and lower leagues. It has the love of God, both in word and action. and Disability Sport Wales (DSW), the lead been particularly encouraging to see more The Christian gospel always has love at its organisation in Wales for the development of chaplaincy involvement in Academies with heart, and is always relevant to the lives of Ever since childhood, I have been a follower sport for disabled people. chaplains appointed specifically to support all. We have to learn how to listen to those of motorcycle racing (and indeed, all forms This was a historic development whereby at youth level, as has been the case at Cardiff we seek to minister to, in order that we can of motorsport). This stems primarily from Sports Chaplaincy UK now provide City, and the development of a chaplaincy speak an appropriate word to them. two things; motorsport-loving parents volunteer chaplaincy support to the team and mentoring to youth players The chaplaincy to horseracing is built upon and the experience of watching the dices in their Academy and High as seen at Crystal Palace, both currently relationships and getting to know people, between Bill Ivy and Phil Read at the Ulster Performance departments. Practically “Every Club should have a Chaplain”, the Premier League clubs. being there where they live and work. This Grand Prix in the sixties. Marrying a relation speaking this has meant two of Sports Football Conference Chairman, Brian Lee, There have been a number of new can not be done overnight but often takes of eleven times Isle of Man T.T. winner, Chaplaincy UK’s chaplains, Rev. Dave Hibbin spoke those words when addressing all sixty chaplaincy appointments from York City to months if not years to establish. People in Phillip McCallen has continued to keep of Ararat Baptist Church and Heather Lewis eight member clubs of the Conference at Southend United but perhaps most pleasing racing, most of whom have no contact with the family interest alive and I keep tabs of Highfields Church, Cardiff both giving their Annual General Meeting held in June has been that to Birmingham City. Some the Church, have images in their minds on the scene “back home” as well as being a day a week of their time to support the 2013 at Celtic Manor, Newport. This followed chaplaincy situations arise quite quickly but of what a Christian minister is like, which involved here on the mainland. Since 2005, principality’s disabled sports people at a five minute presentation that we had it has taken nearly four years to appoint at hopefully bears no truth in reality; but I have acted as chaplain to the Aintree their bases in Sophia Gardens and the been able to give about the work of Sports Birmingham which shows the importance nevertheless such images get in the way Motorcycle Racing Club in Liverpool. As the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff. Chaplaincy UK. After we had finished, Brian of persistence and prayer. of trying to establish friendships, and a name suggests, the circuit (used in a longer It is intended that this model is replicated enthusiastically offered that impromptu This year has seen the role of the football willingness to ask for or receive help. form in past years for the British Grand Prix), in North Wales (where DSW have another Progress has been made in developing endorsement. The invitation to attend the chaplain get some positive reviews in The Stable visits, visits to Stud Farms and is beside the Grand National course and base ) , and perhaps even further a field. chaplaincy at the SPFL clubs, where we conference followed a similar opportunity Times, The Readers’ Digest and FC Business visits with individuals continue to be hosts meetings on five Saturdays from May Sports Chaplaincy UK’s Chaplaincy Support now serve thirty nine out of the forty two to attend the Football Conference EGM in Magazine. We are also very grateful for the the foundation of all our work. Some until September. For me, being a chaplain Director for Scottish Sport, Neil Urquhart, clubs through chaplaincy and I usually have February 2013 which Ian and Matt Baker had ongoing support of the Premier League, people welcome such visits and others enables me both to put something back has similarly entered into recent discussions to replace on average six chaplains a year attended. This also led us to have a stand at Football League Trust and the PFA as the are uncertain and it is always essential to into a sport which has given me a lot of with Scottish Disability Sport. as they move on to new churches. I am the AGM in the ‘market place’ (alongside the post of Pastoral Support Director in English be sensitive to each person’s response. pleasure and to share my faith with others Building on the experience of serving at the currently piloting chaplaincy in the Scottish new Ball sponsor for the 2013/14 season). Football now enters its fifth year. Sometimes giving people space is as much in a relaxed and informal way, through the London 2012 Paralympics, in July 2013, Steve Women’s Premier League at Hibernian Back in May, we held the first day specifically Looking to 2014 we expect to train more of a witness as talking to them, as it shows a medium of that sport. At each meeting, I go Jones served as a Chaplain and Interpreter Ladies FC, with a view to training up other for chaplains serving at clubs outside of the potential chaplains through the Sports respect for them. It’s amazing though, how on my “walkabout,” endeavouring to have at the International Paralympic Committee’s (probably women) chaplains for the other Football League; something we aim to make Chaplaincy UK induction day, make more many people want to talk, look forward to a short chat with officials in their varying World Athletics Championships in Lyon, clubs in the league. I have appointed our an annual event. These chaplains serve at all appointments within football and grow the the visits, and treat me as a trusted friend. capacities, competitors and spectators. On France where he was asked to dedicate his first chaplain in the Highland League at levels from the Conference Premier to local partnership with the PFA and the Sporting one occasion, I was given the opportunity time to supporting Team GB. Nairn County FC and I hope to develop league Saturday afternoon teams. Chance clinic in helping to address some of Graham Locking to be interviewed by the race commentator Steve also formed part of group from the chaplaincy throughout the rest of the Chaplaincy within football clubs in England the pastoral issues around addictions and Chaplain to Horse Racing about my role, while, on a more sad note, I Swansea Organising Committee charged with teams in this league. I have also appointed and Wales below the ninety two member depression within the industry. have led tributes to those from the racing the planning and delivery of the International a chaplain at East of Scotland League Football League structure is growing and world who have died and have officiated Paralympic Committee’s European Athletics team Edinburgh University FC and hope becoming more accepted. Significant Matt Baker at the funeral of a competitor who had Championships that will be taking place to develop chaplaincy throughout the rest conversations happen almost weekly in the Pastoral Support Director in English suffered a fatal accident at the circuit. in Wales’ second city from 17th to 24th of the teams in this league too. I have a boardrooms with visiting officials that are Football @gambettola68 Over the years, it has been good to become August 2014. This has resulted in Sports meeting coming up with representatives open to chaplaincy and the opportunities “part of the furniture” at Aintree and to get to Chaplaincy UK partnering with Swansea of the sixty three clubs in the West Region to engage within these clubs are fantastic. know many people connected to the club. I am University’s Chaplaincy Service to provide a of the Scottish Junior Football Association This can mean anything from helping to thankful for the privilege of having the role of comprehensive sports chaplaincy service to (this is further down the Scottish Football develop and deliver the club’s community chaplain and for opportunities to discuss the athletes, coaches and their families. Pyramid). I have the potential of training work to involvement at board level – and all world of racing and, when appropriate, to talk and appointing chaplains at over two manner of things in-between. about matters of faith in a gentle way. My hope Steve Jones hundred football clubs in Scotland over the We look forward to another exciting and and prayer is that this will continue to be the Chaplaincy Support Director next few years. The Scottish Government, busy year. SFA and SPFL have been very supportive case and also that we will have opportunities for Welsh Sport to bring further developments to the role of and has enabled me to go full time since Ian Nicholoson chaplaincy in the world of motorsport, on both February. Pastoral Director two wheels and four. in Lower League Football Mark Fleming Stuart Wood Colin McIlwaine Pastoral Director Pastoral Support Director Matt Baker and Chris Powell (former manager of Chaplain to Aintree Motorcycle of Scottish Football in Lower League Football Charlton Athletic) enjoy watching training together. Racing Club 2013 has seen some significant new We will have at least three Sports 2013 was a big year of Thank You and chaplaincy appointments in Welsh sports. Chaplaincy UK chaplains (Steve Jones, Goodbye to the Rev Peter Allen. Pete Firstly in Cardiff City, where Rev. Kieran Carolyn Skinner and myself) involved had worked as Director of Sheffield Webster has taken on a volunteer role in the Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Village Sports Chaplaincy since it was set up with their Academy. In addition to this all Religious Services Centre team of over four years ago and was chaplain for professional regional academies within twenty four, which is encouraging. Sheffield Wednesday for seven years. Pete Rugby Union now have chaplains serving Discussions with Sportscotland, about established a great sports chaplaincy work them and Rev. Ian Hughes has filled the last possible openings for sports chaplaincy, amongst the sporting community within remaining vacancy in the Scarlets region, are ongoing and it is hoped that the both professional and amateur status and based in Llanelli, South West Wales. Commonwealth Games will provide left a great foundation for the rest of the The target for this year is to increase the further opportunity to promote team to continue to develop. In June, Pete In 2011 I was privileged to work with the number of volunteer chaplains serving chaplaincy in sport beyond football. left the Sheffield diocese and moved south New Zealand churches as part of Engage in Welsh Rugby Premiership rugby clubs, I have overseen and supported Geoff to start work for the Chelmsford diocese NZ managing their chaplaincy programme which this year took an encouraging step Redmayne in his role of developing as a team Vicar to the three Colne village for the Rugby World Cup. So successful was forward with the appointment of Tony chaplaincy in Scottish Rugby and we churches. As well as starting a new job, their work that, before the tournament was Down as chaplain to Cardiff RFC and Phil are hopeful of establishing chaplaincy Pete also got married in the summer to ended, talks were already in process about Bishop at Newport RFC. at the next tier underneath the Glasgow Sharon. We would like to thank Pete for all the churches’ involvement when England 2013 has been a really positive year for us In Rugby League, two of our Wales-based & Edinburgh fully professional sides. I his hard work and wish them both a very host Rugby World Cup 2015. involved in the great sport of Rugby League. Sports Chaplaincy UK chaplains served as took four weeks out to do some study happy and wonderful life together. That has resulted in the emergence of We have seen continued growth and chaplains to the national Welsh team and leave on developing sports chaplaincy The team have done a great job this year and Engage 2015 an organisation that aims opportunities within the sport and have to the Cook Islands national team during in Scottish sport beyond football. The continue to serve faithfully in the various to mobilise and resource the churches of been able to place nine new chaplains in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. opportunities are countless and clearly sporting clubs and organisations through the UK to seize the opportunity presented to clubs up and down the league structure. In December Rev. Steve Jones, (Chaplaincy require someone to work part or full the work of chaplaincy in , by the third largest international This has had a very positive impact across Support Director for Welsh Sport), was time if the potential is to be realised. Boxing, Evolution Fitness Gym, Football, sporting event to engage with their local the game as we continue to build strong “The invited by the Welsh Premier League to There is also scope for closer working Ice Hockey, Rugby League, Snooker, The communities as they did around the and healthy relationships with the RFL address a meeting to all the chairmen with ‘Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland’, English Institute for Sport and Sheffield & Olympics. and other professional bodies involved of Welsh Premier football clubs on the which has a similar ethos to Sports Hallamshire County FA. Chaplaincy will again be a key part of in the game such as Rugby League Cares, experience subject of sports chaplaincy. The league Chaplaincy UK. I intend passing on the We have also been asked to provide a that programme, building not only on League13, State of Mind and Sporting administrators have commended it to all role of chaplain at Kilmarnock FC to chaplain for Sheffield Hatters Women’s the achievements of 2011 but also on Chance. their constituent clubs and we hope to see someone else in May to allow me to Basketball Team and Club who are the the successful chaplaincy programme There was a very positive article concerning a number of new appointments in 2014. devote at least one session (morning, most successful women’s basketball team delivered by Sports Chaplaincy UK at the sports chaplaincy earlier in the year in the of Sports Other areas identified for development in afternoon or evening) per week to my in the UK and we’re in the process of trying Rugby League World Cup in 2013. Professional Players Magazine, stating the 2014 include; chaplaincy to women’s and role of promoting chaplaincy in Scottish to find the right lady for the job. In addition there will be ways local churches benefits of chaplaincy and the positive role disabled sport and a growth in the number sport. The work is continuing to grow and I can serve in the name of Christ as hosts for it has had especially in clubs that have had Chaplaincy of club Christmas carol services facilitated see 2014 being a very significant and participants’ families and volunteers, and challenges to face. by club chaplains . productive year. opportunities to share the love of Christ This year was also the year of the Rugby through community festivals, screening League World Cup where chaplaincy played UK was a Steve Jones Neil Urquhart Baz Gascoyne games, quizzes and speakers and much a very effective and positive part in player Chaplaincy Support Director Chaplaincy Support Director Pastoral Director more. and staff welfare. We had the privilege for Welsh Sport in Scottish Sport for Sheffield Sports Chaplaincy Such activities also offer an exciting of supporting The Festival of World Cups possibility to build creative links with where we were able to support student, huge benefit local rugby clubs, working together on police and women’s world cup teams for community festivals around the live the first time which was a great success. screening of matches and on touch rugby This then led into the World Cup where we to the Rugby in schools and in church. were able to become official partners and Relationships built through such supported nearly all the teams involved in partnerships create the potential for a the competition to differing levels. legacy of many more chaplaincies in local RLWC2013 Tournament Operations League Rugby Union clubs. Thus a global sporting Director, Jon Dutton said: “Player welfare event becomes the catalyst for ongoing was a big priority at the tournament, so local engagement. it was important for us to have the right World Cup” For more information on how you can get partner to provide pastoral care. It was In October 2013 the following members were re-elected to the board of involved visit the website at: great that Sports Chaplaincy UK were on trustees of Sports Chaplaincy UK: www.engage2015.co.uk or contact board and their undoubted experience was [email protected]. a huge benefit to us.” David Chawner - Chair of Trustees Linvoy Primus (Ex-professional footballer) Bert Cadmore - Secretary (Norwich City FC Chaplain) Andrew Reed, MBE (Politician with expertise in sports) David Chawner Warren Evans Rugby Union Support Director Chaplaincy Director Richard Knapp - Treasurer (Living Rock Church Trustee) ArchDeacon Duncan Green (Organiser of Olympic Multi-faith Chaplaincy) in Scottish Sport @revdjc in Rugby League @pastorwazza Malcolm Lorrimer (Lancashire CCC Chaplain) Bob Hamer (Premier League referees assessor) The power of prayer Reflections onS ports Chaplaincy Course at A bishop once said to me, “Where are the two places people sing today? Church and sports Most people can remember where they went on to play for Birmingham, became Gloucester University stadia!” Tie that in with Christmas and you have a fantastic opportunity for church, chaplaincy were on 17th March 2012 when Tottenham a member of the England under 21’s and Hotspur was playing Bolton at White Hart eventually moved to Bolton. and club to engage with. AFCBournemouth, together with an increasing number of clubs As a Christian female lay person with a life- Lane in the FA Cup quarter finals. They In sharing his story he spoke of our close long background in sport, I enthusiastically across the country, held an annual community carol service. After good publicity in the remember not because of the game but relationship through chaplaincy and signed up for the first year of the two year local churches, schools and the club we at AFC Bournemouth saw numbers double this because of the sudden collapse of Fabrice endorsed the work we all do in the field, Mumaba. As his pulse became weaker course. It is a distance learning course emphasising the need and the importance year. An incredible sense of joy, laughter and community was enjoyed as we gathered to the pulse of prayer became ever stronger incorporating a four-day residential block of this work and in the delight he had of acknowledge the birth of Jesus. Young and old, most of whom wouldn’t necessarily go in a across the country, as his heart beat was being an ambassador for Sports Chaplaincy in the month of October and a further one Pray faint the heart beat of love for him and his UK. in February. church, sang Carols led by the Salvation Army Band, listened to some cracking songs from the family grew enormously. The whole evening was a very moving and To pray for the expansion of the work of Pre-course reading completed, the seven Bournemouth Male Voice Choir and local junior school group and heard Linvoy Primus talk At our AGM, on the 4th June 2013 at memorable occasion in which we were Sports Chaplaincy UK please register for candidates met at lunchtime and spent about what Christmas means to him. AFC Bournemouth’s chairman, JeffM ostyn, was there as Westminster Central Hall, Fabrice came to left with no doubt of the movement of the our monthly prayer letter the first afternoon learning how to use share with us his incredible and miraculous www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk/prayer well and graciously shared how much chaplaincy meant to the club as well as commenting Spirit. the Helpzone and library resources. John story and gave a memorable testimony to On reflecting on the whole experience Boyers, the Manchester United chaplain on things in his Christmas programme notes! The best is yet to come! the power of prayer. with Fabrice I have often said that at his for the last twenty one years (!) then gave Could you stage a community carol event in 2014 as part of HOPE 14? HOPE is working with He began his story by sharing something weakest and most vulnerable God did his us an insight into the history of sports of his early life grown up in the war most powerful and the country woke up Sports Chaplaincy UK to help clubs stage Silent Night community carols events in December torn Democratic Republic of the Congo chaplaincy in the UK. Day two was also to the importance of faith and prayer. That 2014 linking with First World War centenary commemorations - First World War troops sang resulting in the need to flee and seek the spent with John, investigating the Biblical surely is the heart of the Gospel, when in Join Us safety of England. He shared how it was for Christ, at His weakest and most vulnerable basis for sports chaplaincy and learning Silent Night and played football across No Man’s Land at Christmas in 1914. Find out more at a youngster to land in a foreign place and moment on the Cross the most powerful Become an ‘associate member’ of Sports about the different models for chaplaincy www.hopetogether.org.uk/greaterlove. have to learn a whole new language and event was taking place. Chaplaincy UK and support the work. currently existing in the UK. John has so way of life. His faith was strong then and This surely gives the perfect platform on www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk/membership much experience and insight to share and grew stronger as the years went on. which to build our chaplaincies. we were grateful for his words of wisdom Andy Rimmer His professional footballing career began at and useful hand outs explaining the Chaplain to AFC Bournemouth Arsenal, when as a young lad he turned up Phil Mason practical application of sports chaplaincy. at the training ground and asked for a trial. Chaplain Bolton The final two days were spent with our From then on his career took off. He Wanderers FC course tutor, Andrew Parker. Although not a chaplain himself, he used his teaching Keep in touch skills to highlight the key facts about the You can keep up to date with news of role of the sports chaplain while making Sports Chaplaincy UK by us feel that we had contributed all the Facebook: Sports Chaplaincy UK, information ourselves. There were lots of Twitter: @sportschaplain and signing up to our monthly newsletter opportunities to share experiences and thoughts. Questions were answered with Annual Sports Chaplaincy UK Conference www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk/newsletter humility and wisdom and nothing was made to feel too trivial. Plenty of advice Over 110 Sports Chaplains attended the the heart of the conference was a rousing was given regarding how to study and Sports Chaplaincy UK Conference 24th- reflection by Graham Daniels, General 26th September 2013. Director of Christians in Sport on the Lord the writing of essays- particularly useful as Following the theme of living on the edge of the Harvest with a powerful reminder most of us had not written an essay for a we explored the whole concept of the fact that this was not our work to own but that Just Giving very long time! Andrew made it clear that that often chaplaincy work is just that, being of God’s. To help us extend the work of Sports he was available for advice at any time, on the edge. It is also about dealing with One of the final presentations was shared either on the end of a phone or by email, some “edgy” issues, such as dealing with the by Colin Bland, Chief Executive Officer of Chaplaincy UK go to and he was keen to support us in any way media and looking at the appropriate use Sporting Chance Clinic which gave us all www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk/donate possible. of the media, matters concerning the use of a reminder of the vulnerability of sports I found it a stimulating and thoroughly social media and the dangers within. These men and women who themselves are often enjoyable, if tiring, few days and am are some of the issues that we explored living on the edge and of our calling in looking forward to the rest of the course. along with the debate and challenges sports chaplaincy to come alongside and surrounding a multi-faith approach to our offer support. “Sports work and the increasing diversities of faiths Angy King being expressed in sport. Phil Mason Chaplain to women’s football Chaplaincy UK Disability in sport was also explored with an Chaplain Bolton Wanderers FC inspirational presentation by Jon Morgan, seeks to serve the Executive Director for the Federation of Disability Sport Wales. The conference gave space for those people of sport chaplains within rugby and football to reflect upon their work and upon the issues through the love concerning them, with opportunities for the groups to share stories and experiences. At of Jesus”