Sport Endorsements
Paul Elliott, CBE, MBE
Former English professional footballer, member of the FA Inclusion Advisory Board and Sports Chaplaincy UK Ambassador
“Sports chaplaincy is a must have for 21st century athletes.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, CBE
Director and Ambassador of Manchester United
“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.”
Byron Hayward
Robbie Hunter Paul
A retired New Zealand International Rugby League player, author and TV pundit. Robbie won everything at club and world level.
"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."
Jon Morgan, Exec Director of Disability Sports Wales
Exec Director of Disability Sports Wales
“Providing sports chaplaincy has become an important part of our approach to equality and ethical behaviours. Aside from providing a friendly, familiar face and an open door to confidential advice and support for everyone, there have also been occasions when our sports chaplains have made significant and timely interventions supporting athletes, staff and wider service users through some difficult and challenging times.”
Sir Ian McGeechan, OBE
Former coach of Scotland and the British and Irish Lions
“Chaplaincy brings a personal touch – people feel they can be listened to as individuals. If chaplaincy was established in every club, I believe it would be of huge benefit to the game as a whole.”
Fabrice Muamba
A retired professional footballer who played for Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers as a central midfielder.
“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.”
Brian Noble, MBE
former Rugby League Coach and Manager and Sports Chaplaincy UK Ambassador
“Every athlete needs space to talk and get things off their chest – from my experience, a sports chaplain is an ideal person because they are trustworthy, independent and compassionate.”
Jayne Ludlow
Women’s National Teams Manager Football Association of Wales
“Sports chaplaincy has been of huge personal and group benefit within our female international team camp environments. The support has been provided within all our age group teams and senior squad and has proved to be extremely beneficial for players.”
Anne Wafula-Strike MBE
Non-Executive Director of the UK Athletics Board, former GB & NI Gold medal- list Paralympian
“It is my privilege to be an Ambassador for Sports Chaplaincy UK and join them on their journey. It has been en- couraging for me to know that Sports Chaplaincy UK has a desire to expand their work, especially into disability/ all ability and women’s sporting communities. With Sports Chaplaincy UK increasingly taking the initiative at many di erent levels, I pray and hope the wider church rises to this challenge to engage proactively with this wonderfully diverse community of sport which I believe Jesus our Saviour would certainly have done. Every ath- lete needs some kind of support and encouragement and a chaplain can be a valuable source of this support”. Kyle McCallan
“Absolutely delighted to endorse and support the vitally important work of sports chaplaincy in cricket. Much needed”
Eric Miller
“If this had been available in my time I know I would have benefitted. Brilliant work.” Instagram link.
Tim Shiels
“The more I work alongside these guys and see their heart for athletes and coaches the greater my admiration. A must in sport.” Instagram link.
Liam Dunne
“For any individual in a team sport environment the role of a sports chaplain to that individual is way more important than anyone can imagine. Has my full support.” Instagram link.
John Caulfield - Galway’s United FC Manager
“Ray has been great for us, adding a valuable, additional, confidential layer of support to players and staff alike . Highly recommend this service provided by Sports Chaplaincy Ireland.” Instagram link.
Declan Devine
“In my time at Bohemians with Andy and now at Glentoran with David, I have been delighted to have as part of our volunteer staff, the club chaplain who gets on with providing valuable pastoral and spiritual care to players and staff alike. I commend the vital work of Sports Chaplaincy UK and Ireland across the 2 islands. It’s never been more important.” Instagram link.
Conor Kane, Drogheda United
“We have a sports chaplain as well at Drogheda, who I speak to very often. It's brilliant just to have that kind of support system. But it's available for everyone in the league and I think a lot of players use it, which is brilliant.” Conor Kane, Drogheda United, speaking after Drogheda’s FAI Cup victory over Derry City at the Aviva in Dublin last Sunday.” Instagram link.
Tiernan Lynch, Larne FC Manager
Tiernan Lynch, manager of Irish league Champions Larne FC said “Delighted to endorse the work of sports chaplaincy, which we across the whole club have benefitted from!” Instagram link.
Sports Chaplaincy Ireland endorsements
There are 5 pages of Sports Chaplaincy Ireland endorsements, starting on page 8 of their brochure PDF.