Sports Chaplaincy Australia Inc.

Sports Chaplaincy Australia Inc. (SCA) is the premier associated body that provides volunteer chaplains to a variety of sports around Australia. A large proportion of high performance sports in Australia have sports chaplains. Over 600 chaplains now serve in sports organisations such as: Test and Shield Cricket, Motor Racing, Tennis, Rugby League, Australian Rules, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Golf, Yachting, Skiing, Netball, Rodeo and Horse Racing, the Australian Institute of Sport and State Institutes of Sport. A large emerging area is local sports and their need for chaplaincy. Our volunteer chaplains provide unconditional pastoral care for athletes, administrators, members, supporters and their families. Through sports chaplains clubs make pastoral care available for players, partners, families and staff, offering: * a neutral person with whom to 'off-load', * support for staff as they facilitate and maintain positive, focused attitudes in athletes Pastoral Care takes place through: * the Chaplain just 'being there' and available; * the Chaplain's personal assessment of the individual needs of an athlete; * referral by, and in liaison with club personnel; * outcomes from meeting with the Welfare Officer/Coach; Pastoral care happens in an ad-hoc, informal way at training and social events, over the telephone, in hospital, or more formally on the basis of appointments.