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”.