Sports Chaplaincy in England


Across England more than 250 chaplains serve across a variety of sports. They offer pastoral and spiritual care offering support in a variety of sporting settings. You can find the latest news and useful resources to do with sports chaplaincy in England on this page.

Matt Baker
National Director for England & Pastoral Support Director in English Football


Sports Chaplaincy UK has a passion for seeing the local church engage in the community of sport. I'm delighted to celebrate all the work they do with hundreds of chaplains across the country and commend to churches who haven't considered getting involved in looking at how they can serve their... Read More

Sports Chaplaincy UK has a passion for seeing the local church engage in the community of sport. I’m delighted to celebrate all the work they do with hundreds of chaplains across the country and commend to churches who haven’t considered getting involved in looking at how they can serve their local community to explore this possibility. Working with Sports Chaplaincy UK on the Commonwealth Games 2022, I’ve seen the commitment to support a range of churches. Keep up the good work!

Bishop Mike Royal
Co-CEO of Cinnamon Network UK, Co-Chair for the Birmingham Churches Commonwealth Working Group

Personally, I know the importance of chaplaincy in my life and I am delighted to be a patron of Sports Chaplaincy UK recognising the vital work of Chaplains within sport.

Fabrice Muamba
English retired professional footballer

“Its not good for man to be alone” Genesis 2:18; We are told in just the second chapter of the bible that we don't thrive in isolation.. Sport often creates wonderful environments in which communities are built and relationships are allowed to flourish. In my experiences as a Christian professional... Read More

“Its not good for man to be alone” Genesis 2:18;
We are told in just the second chapter of the bible that we don’t thrive in isolation..
Sport often creates wonderful environments in which communities are built and relationships are allowed to flourish.
In my experiences as a Christian professional rugby league player, Sports Chaplaincy UK has been the archetypal nourishment that encourages those environments to thrive.
Jamie Jones Buchanan
A professional rugby league player and Sports Chplaincy UK Ambassador

Every athlete needs some kind of support and encouragement and a chaplain can be a valuable source of this support.

Anne Wafula Strike
Former Paralympian and Gold medallist athlete, author, and advocate for Play for Change

Sports Chaplaincy is a must have for 21st century athletes.

Paul Elliott, CBE, MBE
Former English professional footballer, member of the FA Inclusion Advisory Board & SCUK Ambassador

Chaplains can be of help to all sorts of people involved with sport, when crisis, need or difficulty comes. I commend the idea of sports chaplaincy and the work of Sports Chaplaincy UK to you.

Sir Alex Ferguson, CBE
Director & Ambassador of Manchester United

As a former player, coach and now manager I cannot recommend highly enough the vital role played by chaplains within football clubs.

Chris Powell
Former manager of Huddersfield Town FC and Charlton Athletic

I would encourage all players the importance of talking and getting off things of your chest. Chaplains need to remind the players that the support is there and they can talk to you about anything - talking is so important.

Robbie Hunter Paul
Retired Rugby League International and TV pundit

Meet the team

Chaplaincy England Resources

England General Donations

England Chaplains Donation

Useful Resources

Report: Rugby League
Report: Lower League
Report: Racing Chaplaincy
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