At Sports Chaplaincy Australia, we believe in the power of playing the ‘long game’. To inspire you, we want to share with you some stories of how far we’ve already come.
Meet Mark Spencer
- Name: Mark Spencer
- What sport do you serve in? Wingham Tigers Rugby League Club
- How long have you been a chaplain: 28 years
- What level of training do you have? Level 2
- How many hours a week are you a chaplain? Approx 12 hours / week
- What do you do when not a chaplain? Manage Christian Radio Station
- How many people/teams are you in contact with? 150 people – 5 teams
Why did you decide to train to become a chaplain?
Back in 1995 I started to hear about chaplains being involved in the National Rugby League. I was encouraged, so I wrote to my local rugby league club, the Wingham Tigers, offering my services as a chaplain. The club had already heard positive feedback from Sydney clubs, so they accepted me as their chaplain.
What seasons have you been present for in your community? Is there a story of particular significance?
In my first year of chaplaincy, one of our players was killed in a car crash. This shocked the whole community and I was able to support players through this difficult season. Soon after this death, several of the committee of the Wingham Tigers opened up to me, sharing that they had previously thought having a chaplain ‘was a joke’, but can now see the importance. Ten years later, the club awarded me with Life Membership, the first non-player to receive this honour.
Over the years of building genuine connections with people, I have been invited to conduct weddings for players, funerals for parents or grandparents, and christenings for children. I am also regularly asked to pray for players and for their families, which is a joy and privilege.
Finish this sentence: “To me, playing the long game means… just hanging in there, being a representative of Jesus.”
