UK Sports Ministries

Multisport

All Souls Church in Langham Place London has an all year round sports ministry programme called SOLE Sports.

SOLE Sports has many regular sports as well as some annual trips, tournaments and special events. The sports currently on offer are:

For more information email play@solesports.org visit www.solesports.org and find us on facebook – SOLE Sports.

The Catholic 2012 Office is a new project inaugurated by the Catholic Church in England and Wales to examine how best to engage with the world of sport in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its purpose is to also ensure there is a well rooted legacy in place once the Games have packed up and left town.

Catholic 2012 sees that sport and spirituality go hand in hand and that God is very much interested in what we do with our bodies.  We also see the amazing tool that sport can be to develop healthy values and virtues within those willing to engage with the right formation.

The purpose of the office is to engage alongside the sporting world at every level, from those involved with the professional world of sport, to those who are passionate amateurs, and equally and as importantly to those who feel that their sporting days are long over, or in fact never began.

Catholic 2012 is also involved in engaging at the heart of the 2012 Games within the umbrella ecumenical charity More Than Gold (www.morethangold.org.uk).

So, whether you are an individual in the professional or amateur sporting world, or a Catholic just interested in learning more about what we are up to, please do get in touch with us at the London office with any questions of comments you may have.

Contact details: James Parker – mob. , email james.parker@morethangold.org.uk.  (www.catholic2012.com).

Christians in Sport: www.christiansinsport.org.uk

Tel: 01869 255630

Christians in Sport has been reaching the world of sport for Christ for over thirty years. We work with sportspeople across the age range, covering over 80 different sports from those playing in the school team through to those competing professionally. Our day to day work has two major aspects to it. Firstly, we train and encourage thousands of players and coaches to represent Christ in their sports clubs and teams by the way they play their sport on the field and live their life off it. Secondly, we support these Christian sportspeople as they pray for and share the Good News of Jesus with their team mates. We do this, in partnership with the local church, by providing evangelism training as well as opportunities for sportspeople who are not Christians to hear the Christian message explained.

www.ministryofsport.org.uk

CSRM (Church Sport and Recreation Minsters) is an international sports ministry that has as its mission statement – ‘seeing local churches change lives for Christ through sport’. Though based in the USA it has strong links with the UK, Canada, Egypt, Uganda, Liberia and Ethiopia where it seek to equip the local church in its sports and recreation ministry programme. CSRM’s annual Summit conference leads the world in its training of the local church’s sports minister whilst its certification programme and counselling network builds into the lives of both individuals and church communities. www.csrm.org bryan@csrm.org Bryan Mason (International Director) (office) 07916-252709 (mobile)

Christian Vision for Men – www.cvmen.org.uk The Barton, Manor Courtyard, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset BA3 4QF A range of events, talks & resources designed for men, eg an FA Cup Final watching event with burgers, beer, crisps and no healthy food! Find out more on the website or through the following: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CVM/68887800759 Twitter followers: http://twitter.com/CVMen YouTube subscribers: http://www.youtube.com/CVMmedia CVM hold an annual Men Only Conference, check the website for details.

www.enigma-sports.com

Contact Martin Bateman for quality Sports Photos

Office: 01524 590410

Mobile: 07889 949612

Email: martinb@enigma-sports.com

HIGHER SPORTS LTD is a fledgling sports ministry formed solely to provide coaching and teaching resources for the local church. ‘Higher Rugby’ and ‘Higher Football’ are 8 week courses combining drills and games with biblical ‘team talks’. ‘Higher Cricket’ and ‘Higher Games’ are in the pipeline over the next 3 years leading up to London 2012 when all 4 packs will be ideal resources for the British Church’s response to the Olympics. Each pack contains all that is required to run the course (kit, equipment, manuals and book). www.highersports.org bryan@highersports.lccnet.co.uk Bryan Mason (Executive Director) (office) 07711 572032 (mobile)

University of Gloucestershire

Postgraduate Awards in Sport and Christian Outreach

MA in Sport and Christian Outreach (Sports Ministry)

MA in Sport and Christian Outreach (Sports Chaplaincy)

Led by specialist teams of staff from the University of Gloucestershire and associates from Redcliffe College, these courses seek to provide postgraduate level accreditation for those wishing to pursue (or already pursuing) careers in sports ministry or sports chaplaincy settings.

Drawing upon key aspects of applied theology, sports studies, and community development, both courses are specifically designed to provide candidates with an academic and professional grounding in their respective fields whilst considering more broadly how Christian sports practitioners might connect with the wider sporting world. Three levels of qualification are on offer: Postgraduate Certificate (three taught modules), Postgraduate Diploma (six taught modules), and/or full MA (six taught modules plus dissertation).

To accommodate the specific needs of those who work full-time in their occupational roles, these awards are delivered predominantly via intensive 4-5 day blocks over the course of the academic year.

If you are a graduate from a related discipline, or have a particular interest in the relationship between sport and faith, you are strongly encouraged to apply. Part-time or full-time study options are available. (Please note that although course provision is at postgraduate level, entry is not dependent upon the prior acquisition of an undergraduate degree).

If you would like to learn more about our courses, then please click the following links:

http://www.glos.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/scm/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.glos.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/scc/Pages/default.aspx

Alternatively, if you would like to chat further about the courses that we have on offer, then please contact:

Professor Andrew Parker

Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Care

University of Gloucestershire

Oxstalls Campus

Oxstalls Lane

Gloucester, UK

GL2 9HW

Tel:

Fax: +44 (0) 1242 715222

Mobile: 07920 210333

Email: aparker@glos.ac.uk

ROCK UK is a long established Christian charity who provide exciting outdoor adventure at its UK based adventure centres and through its adventure travel company Trailblazers. We are passionate about developing young people using the outdoors to transform their lives through our residential offer and our adventurous activities. We are however accessible to all ages!!  Our adventure centres are in Kent (Carroty Wood & Halls Green), Northants (Frontier Centre), South Wales (Summit Centre) and The Scottish Borders (Whithaugh Park). Schools, Youth Groups, Sports Clubs, Christian Unions, Corporate Groups and Community Groups – the variety of groups that visit is endless. Catered or self-catered, large groups or small, instructed activities or your own programme.

Many of our instructors joined us as gap year trainees where they became inspired to pursue careers developing young people. If you would like to receive high quality training in adventurous activities and gain National Governing Body Awards in Canoeing, Kayaking, Climbing, Archery, Biking and many others, as well as experiencing a fantastic year at one of our centres, then please contact job.enquiry@rockuk.org, call 0844 8000 222 or visit our website www.rockuk.org.

Spirit in Sport’s mission is to change the lives of children, youth and adults for the sake of Jesus Christ. To operate sports programmes based on Christian sporting values, where everyone can participate in an accessible, healthy and fun sporting environment. For everyone whatever ability, to participate and achieve their potential whether in or outside of the church. SIS brings hope through sport by envisioning and enabling individuals and churches in Sport Outreach. Contact Chris Cox chris@spiritinsport.org.uk www.spiritinsport.org.uk

SCORE RELAUNCHES AS “SPORTS CHAPLAINCY UK” IN OLYMPIC YEAR

Contact details: admin@sportschaplaincy.co.uk 0161 962 6068

With the Olympic year 2012 now upon us SCORE, the Christian sports chaplaincy charity, have announced some significant changes within the organisation. From January 1^st SCORE has changed its name to SPORTS CHAPLAINCY UK, and have on the 18^th Jan. appointed Richard Gamble as their Chief Executive Officer.

SCORE began back in 1990 under the leadership of John Boyers when he sensed God’s call to develop chaplaincy in sport.  Since then, the network has grown significantly with over 200 sports chaplains across the UK.  “With that growth domestically and an expanding influence internationally, we felt the need to rebrand with a name that really states who we are and what we do,” said Matt Baker, Pastoral Support Director in English Football.

The Sports Chaplaincy UK trustees unanimously agreed that Richard Gamble be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the charity.  Richard, Matt & Graham Locking, (Director of Chaplaincy to Horse Racing) presented an exciting “Plan for the future” which will modernise and professionalise the charity as it looks towards the next 20+ years of sports chaplaincy.  “We are convinced with the increasing demands and challenges in professional sport, we need to ensure that the chaplaincy provided by Sports Chaplaincy UK is consistent and excellent”, said Richard Gamble.  Richard is a successful entrepreneur and a club chaplain at Leicester City FC.

The staff and trustees wish to thank and honour John Boyers, the founder of the charity, for all he has done over the last 22 years.  John will play a significant role in the next few months as he puts his considerable experience to use in heading up chaplaincy to the Athletes Village at the London Olympics & Paralympics.  However, he also acknowledges that now is the time for change,

“I sensed last year that it was time for others to pick up the baton.  Now is a time for new momentum and I believe that 2012 will be a springboard for new impetus for Sports Chaplaincy UK with Richard’s appointment.  I support Richard and the other members of staff wholeheartedly, and ask you – individuals, churches, fellowships and other sporting organisations – to stand with them so that this significant ministry can become the movement God intends it to be for the next several years”.

Please do pray for us and for all the sports chaplains involved in this work as we move into a very exciting stage in the life of sports chaplaincy in the UK and Ireland.

SPORTSFORCE (www.sportsforceinternational.org) Contact Mark Blythe mark@mccfc.org.uk

Serving Churches through sport. This ministry is set up to help the local church to use sport as an outreach tool. Training and practical support are available. Contact Mark to arrange a meeting with the sporty people in your Church.

The following activities have been initiated:

The National Christian Football Festival – 11-a-side football weekend for church based teams – contact Ambassadors in Sport 0845 071 4390 www.ncff.org.uk

The National Christian Veterans Football Cup (over 35s) – contact Mark to enter in 2011

Football Ministry Conferences – For everyone that loves Jesus & Football – contact Mark

The National Christian Cricket Cup 10th year 2009 Final at Chatsworth House Derbyshire (St Thomas’ Yorkshire lost to Molesey Community Church Surrey). Contact us for details of future Cups.

The National Christian Cricket Festival – for church based teams. Now being run by World Sport Ministries contact info@worldsportministries.com

The National Christian Golf Cup – contact the Christian Golf Society

MISTAKES IN CHURCH FOOTBALL – We’ve made them all – DONT YOU!

A book to help churches that run football teams for outreach has been released. It is based on the experiences Mark Blythe has had heading up the Molesey Community Church football outreach for over 10 years. Every mistake has been made! To learn from them pick up a copy from www.veriteshop.co.uk (or call 01903 241975) for just £10. Title “FOOTBALL 2 FOOTBALL MINISTRY 3″ ie Football is good but footy ministry is even better!

Church Football Leagues: Mark has held every position whilst serving the longest running church football league in the country (the Southern Area Christian Football League – www.sacfl.co.uk): Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary, Information Secretary, Disciplinary Committee member, Results Secretary, Prayer Co-ordinator, Awards Night Organiser, Cup Final Organiser, Procedures writer…. If you need help starting or running a Church League do make contact.

Verite Sport www.veritesport.org

Verite Sport exists to encourage a Christian presence in sport.  It was founded in 2006 by Stuart Weir who remains the only employee.  Stuart was a director of Christians in Sport (1990-2006) and has served in the leadership of the International Sports Coalition and the European Christian Sports Union.  The work of Verite sport has three main aspects:
Supporting professionals as they seek to represent Christ in the world of professional  sport.
Adding 10% to international sports ministry projects.  There are currently projects in Togo, Congo, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Pakistan.
Producing resources on sport and Christianity.
Stuart is a prolific writer, having written 10 books on aspects of sport and faith, which have been translated into several languages. He also writes a weekly sports email and contributes sport and faith articles to The-Times-on-line.  Much of this is downloadable from the Verite Sport website.

World Sport Ministries. We are a Christian sports organisation that is called to serve, partner and reach. We desire to serve communities, partner with churches and other agencies and reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ through sport. Our HQ is based in Bath, England and since January 1999, we have developed teams of people to use sports outreach projects, programmes and events. To date we have helped train leaders and / or establish sports ministry teams in Bath, Bristol, Newham, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Pakistan, Barbados and Germany.

Mission - To reach the world for Jesus Christ through Sport.

Vision – To start and support Sports Ministry Teams that reach communities throughout the world.

www.worldsportministries.com

Tel: 01225 851630

Email: info@worldsportministries.com

Youth For Christ. Yfc is passionate about using sport to reach young people with the good news of Jesus. YFC runs mission teams in football, basketball and street football – Kick, Fly and Nomad. If you want to check out details on these teams and how they can help in your local area then please go to our website at www.yfc.co.uk/teams. YFC is very excited about its Cage football and street football pitch, both of which are available to be delivered with your own church or school. Barry Mason is responsible for all the sports ministry in YFC and would love to hear from you with any questions or comments on 07734022443 or barry.mason@yfc.co.uk