Sports Chaplaincy Australia is the leading recognised body providing chaplains to high-performance, development and local sports throughout Australia since 1984.
CHAPLAINCY TRAINING We place high value on training - Register here
Chaplaincy Application Download your Membership Form Here
Conference 2013 GETAWAY SCA Summit Set for Gold Coast
Get set for a relaxing, sun-filled time on the Gold Coast with guest ministry from Pastor Russ Harmon, UK Sports Chaplaincy Director Richard Gamble, great food, weather, sport and amazing fellowship! Register Here
JVG Scholarship Fund
JVG Scholarship Fund Launched At Dinner
The John Van Groningen Scholarship Fund was launched at this years Champions Dinner with Austin Van Groningen saying he and his "Mum [Jennifer] and my sisters were very proud of dad and the difference he made in our family and in the lives of those he served including his beloved Doggies (Western Bulldogs AFL)!" Bulldog mid-fielder Daniel Cross said that "John will be missed around the club." as he and his wife enjoyed "a very dear friendship with him since our wedding." The fund goes to help see many young men and women serve as chaplains to sports clubs like JVG. Find out more how you can make a donation or bequest to the fund.
Champions Dinner Bellamy - We've Got to Look After our People Better
Champions Dinner: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy said "We have to look after our people better" describing the recent suicide deaths of two NRL players as "tragic". "We have to find better ways to address the issue." On the night guest speaker Chris Connolly reflected on the need to see the good and bad things in life and sport as not being mutually exclusive. On a wonderful night our chaplains gave honour to Former World ASP Surfing President Richard Grellman and Surf Life Saving legend Phil McGibbon both receiving SCA awards... Read more. View the dinner photos
Building - Enlarging - Growing New Year, New Logo, New Training, Good News...
You will see many new things appearing in 2013! Including the very new 2013 SCA Logo. New web sites. The NEW Level 2 Certificate of Sports Chaplaincy (CSC-L2). New faces, new groups working in partnership with SCA to grow chaplaincy. New regional coordinators and hopefully many new Centre Bounce Teams Australia wide! In fact we even have a whole new membership form! WOW... forms! Haha! In all seriousness, let's never forget the best new thing is the best news we share every week! Go SCA!
AFL Chaplains - Aug 2012
Crows chaplain Mark Purser Playing a Different Role
You've probably heard of the role trainers, physios, development managers and even sport psychologists play within AFL clubs, but what about the role of a club chaplain? See Adelaide Crows Article.
Our Partners Life Saving Chaplaincy Goes Online!
Check out the latest news on Life Saving Chaplaincy at LSCA's new website. National Leader Rev. Russ Harmon said he "Appreciated the team effort" in helping support chaplaincy to Life Saving clubs. You can help support Russ in his service to LSCA. Go to www.lifesavingchaplaincy.com.
Our Stories The Day We Needed A Sports Chaplain
Ross Stewart the President of the Wickliffe / Lake Bolac Football & Netball Club writes to us his club account of the day they needed a chaplain when one of his boys died in a car accident. read more...
2012 Champions Dinner In Confessional Chris Connolly Announced...
The 2012 SCA Champions Dinner went off at Etihad Stadium this week but was rocked when Former Fremantle Docker coach Chris Connolly confessed to MFC Chaplain Cam Butler, "If Pia Miller (Aussie Super Model) wants to be Chaplain at Melbourne... you're GONE!" Butler jokingly quipped that, "Pia would likely get MUCH better access to the players [than him]!" Aussie swim champ Duncan Armstrong was hilarious (watch him & Laurie Lawrence here) Chris Connolly also shared about the importance of chaplains in our clubs - And the Melbourne Gospel Choir set the night off with a dynamic version of 'O Happy Day'. $15,200 of a goal of $25,000 was raised in support of our club chaplains.
2012 Champions Dinner Jim Stynes, Glenn Warry, RaceSolutions & The Amy Gillett Foundation Win Awards
Cameron Schwab CEO of the Melbourne FC graciously extended his thanks on behalf of Sam and the Reach Foundation for the Compassion in Sport Award saying, "The sad thing is that Jim was one of us, our generation... it really hits home that he's not with us anymore." Amy Gillet's parents Denis and Mary Safe received the Building Stronger Communities Award from AIS Cycling Chaplain Murray Lydeamore, Racesolutions for their dedication in valuing people in motor sport and A-League Welfare Manager and former Fitzroy Football Club Manager Glenn Warry who reflected on the sadness when he told the players 'That's it.' Saying, it's at moments in life like these when chaplains are genuinely appreciated.
Aussie First - March 2012 SCA Train Indigenous Chaplains
SCA is thrilled to announce an exciting WORLD FIRST with 24 indigenous students introduced to chaplaincy at Etihad Stadium this week. The 24 indigenous people flew into Melbourne from all around the country including Darwin, Perth, Broome and... read & see more...
Our Chaplains V8 Supercars Dan Wheldon Memorial Gold Coast 600 2011
SCA Chaplain Garry Coleman leads the recent tribute at the V8 Supercars at the Gold Coast 600. One fan said, "Just saw this, and indeed, motorsports is one big family,... all of us are still hurting. Like the Reverend said, 'The family hurts...'"
October 2011 - Centre Bounce Teams News NRL Titans Chaplain Goes To Water
Life Saving Chaplaincy Australia in Partnership with Sports Chaplaincy Australia announced today the appointment of Gold Coast Titans Chaplain Rev. Russell Harmon as their new Australian director. Reverend Harmon, who has been the NRL Titans Chaplain for the past 6 years, will continue in his role at the club while undertaking the National Leadership role with Life Saving Chaplaincy Australia. more...
Geelong Conference 2011 New Tyndall Award Presented at Conference 2011
Long serving SCA Chaplain and former National Coordinator Rev. David Tyndall has been honoured with the latest SCA Award being named in his honour. This is awarded to a Chaplain who faithfully represents Christ to their sports community. The inaugural Award was presented to StAlbans Spurs VWFLChaplain Isabelle Scott. Isabelle has been a great ambassador for Jesus Christ in her Chaplaincy role at the club. The Brian King Award was presented to South Australian Coordinator Roger Johnston for his commitment in growing the ministry of Sports Chaplaincy.
2011 Champions Dinner Awards to Simon & Sue Evans and the AFL
The AFL's Claire Waterman gladly received the SCA & Medibank Values in sport award presented to Adrian Anderson and the AFL at this years Champions Dinner at Etihad Stadium. Other awards went to Bruce Petering from the VCFL (Building Stronger Communities Award), Peter Cullan from Reclink (Compassion in Sport Award) and the Friend of SCA Award went to Australian Rally Champions Simon and Sue Evans for their support of the work of chaplaincy in their sport. These awards reflect the values of the SCA chaplaincy network.
2011 Champions Dinner Fisher Ratten & Marshall Rev'd Up At Etihad
The 2011 SCA Champions Dinner was a great success and celebrated the work of sports chaplains around Australia at Etihad Stadium in May with some classic quotes. "I wanted to know if you had big balls!" The challenge given by a competitor to V8 Jesus Ute driver Andrew Fisher. "If you're nothing without a Gold Medal you're nothing with one." Kirstie Marshall. And when Carlton coach Brett Ratten was invited to pick a player outside his club he refused with a steely response saying, "There isn't one I would pick above the team I have."
Sports Chaplaincy SCA YouTube Channel
You can subscribe to our YouTube Channel community and get the latest videos when they become available. Thanks to Daniel Wise for his work with our video media. If you have a video to post on our channel let us know! For more videos on chaplaincy click here.
SCA-150K-Challenge The 3 Month Challenge Now Hits $51000
SCA's 150K Challenge has just past $51,000.00 early March. SCA is dedicated to seeing chaplains serve the kids, families and members of sports clubs around Australia. But we need your help to make a difference. Our goal is $150,000.00 by March 30. Can you help us reach this challenge? Please tell me how. You can donate here.
In Our Clubs SCA Chaplains Receive AFL Life Memberships
Long serving chaplains Rev. Paul Cameron (23yrs) and Rev. Allan Dunn (21yrs) have recently been awarded Life Memberships from Richmond FC and Essendon FC respectively. Paul said, "It took me by suprise." and "...overwhelmingly honoured to have been recognised this way." Football Operations Manager Ross Monaghan spoke highly of Paul Cameron's selfless and caring service to their club over many years.
Our Chaplains Morro Helps With Picking Up the Pieces at West Coast
Paul Morrison the Chaplain at West Coast Eagles in the AFL travelled with the team in 2010 to Cambodia. He came back with a song that has gone viral in the west. Check it out here or at YouTube Picking Up The Pieces.
We were privileged to hear from ManU Chaplain John Boyers and his wife Anne on ministry and marriage on the Gold Coast this month. Matti Clements from the AFLPA addressed responsible alcohol initiatives (download AFLPA PPT) in the AFL. Shane Varcoe (Dalgarno) and Deb Sorensen (Focus on the Family) worked through issues and responses for chaplains. New indigenous chaplain Tony Riches shared on how to minister to indigenous sports people in light of their high population in elite sport. However, the highlight was new West Coast Eagle chaplain Paul Morrison swimming the lake in full view of applauding colleagues. You gave us something Paul! Many thanks to Compassion for their Sponsorship of the 2010 Conference!
Conference 2010October 2010 Brad Whittaker & Michael Devere Receive Awards
Surfing chaplain Brad Whittaker was awarded the 2010 Brian King Award for his innovation and enthusiasm in growing chaplaincy to the world of international professional surfing. Along with Whittaker former League great Michael Devere received the SCA & Compassion Sportsperson of the year award for his commitment to Christ and sports chaplaincy.
Serving Christ in The CommunityJuly 2010 1600 Chaplains Required in Victoria
Chaplain to the Donald Junior Football Club and SCA's VCFL Ambassador John Russell and National Director Cam Butler have been working with the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) to implement strategies to appoint chaplains to their 800 plus football clubs in country Victoria. Cam Butler said, "We were told that most football clubs were associated with a Netball club as well! Doubling the opportunity to serve in the clubs." He remarked, "The need is huge!" You can help by calling SCA on 03-9012-9695.
Emerging IssuesJuly 2010 SCA Challenge Leaders in Canberra Melbourne Football Club Chaplain Cameron Butler was invited to speak in Parliament on the subject of Sport and Faith in Australia at the recent Christian Leaders Conference (God's Government) in Canberra. He challenged the Australian Church to recognise and bravely respond to the enormous demand for chaplains in sports clubs around our nation. You can read his speech here [pdf].
National EventsMay 2010 Linley Frame Awarded the SCA Medibank Private Values in Sport Award
The inaugural SCA Champions Dinner at Etihad Stadium in May hosted over 300 people from local and high performance sports clubs and community groups including churches and mission partners. It was an enthralling night of laughs and raw emotion with David Schwarz telling his harrowing story of life as an elite sports person and gambler. Losing almost everything along the way. Linley Frame was awarded the Medibank Private Values in Sport Award recognising her long term dedication to care of indigenous people through the Red Dust Role Models program. Read more...
Our ChaplainsJanuary 2010 Garry Coleman - V8 Chaplain Honoured V8 Supercars Australia Chaplain, Reverend Doctor Garry Coleman, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal during the Queen's Birthday Honours. Read More
Government PerspectiveNovember 2009 Prime Minister Rudd Values Chaplaincy
PM Kevin Rudd recently personally spoke on the impact of chaplaincy in his own life and the importance to the community. Read more!
National EventsOctober 2009 NRL Coach Lang Addresses Needs in Sport
SCA Celebrated its 25th Anniversary in fine style at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club in Sydney with guests NRL legend John Lang and former Boomer Captain Jason Smith. Lang Speaks More on 25th Anniversary Conference.
News UpdateDecember 2008 Docklands Welcome SCA
Great news! SCA has relocated its national office into Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. Stadium Chief Ian Collins and his team have warmly welcomed the SCA team, including new stadium chaplain Peter Buckley. National Director Cam Butler said, "With 2 million patrons per year it's exciting to be where people are. The world class venue is a great base for our operations."
Conference ReviewOctober 2008 Bev Brock Says "Thank You" to Chaplains Special guest at this years SCA National Conference and former wife of racing car legend Peter Brock concluded this years conference with a sincere thank you to all sports chaplains for their love and concern for the people of sport. Bev shared of her love for her family and Peter and the challenges they faced at the forefront of the
racing world. Bev shared,... more
ChaplaincyMarch 2008 NSW AFL Clubs in Require 300 Chaplains On the back of growing demand for chaplains in local sports around Australia the AFL in NSW/ACT have asked SCA to assist them in finding chaplains for their clubs. SCA have appointed Mick Agius as Chaplaincy Ambassador to assist the AFL and local churches. Register your interest in becoming a sports chaplain.
Motor Sports News SCA Chaplains Lead Brock Services Numerous state offices of CAMS around Australia have been running Memorial Services for Peter Brock. SCA Chaplains have been involved in planning and ministering at these services with over 800 attending the memorial service at Riverview Church in Perth.
SCA National LaunchSeptember 2005 Margaret Court Could Have Won 6 Wimbledons! Australia's greatest women's tennis champion Margaret Court admitted she may have won not 3 but 6 Wimbledons had she had a chaplain by her side. In a successful National Launch of Sports Chaplaincy Australia National Director Cameron Butler said he was "extremely pleased at the turnout of sports industry officials" including guests ASC CEO Mark Peters, Jason Stephens, David Beard and AFL legend Tim Watson. Read More
AwardsJuly 2005 Barry Barnes Presented FOS Award Former Olympic Boomers basketball coach and current AIS Welfare Manager Barry Barnes was awarded the Friend of SCA Award at this years 2005 National SCA Conference in Canberra. Read more on the 2005 SCA conference
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Conference 2013 
GETAWAY SCA Summit Set for Gold Coast
