Caring for New Zealand's sporting community.

Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand (SCNZ) provides pastoral care and support to Aotearoa New Zealand's sports communities. We do this by identifying, training, appointing, and guiding Sports Chaplains who are available as volunteers to serve sports communities at all levels.

What is a Sports Chaplain?

Sports Chaplains are volunteers in sports communities providing free, accessible pastoral care, support and mentoring to athletes, staff officials and their whānau on site and at the point of need irrespective of religion, lifestyle and beliefs.

The effect of Sports Chaplains placed in sports communities is improved mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing leading to better people, better lives, better outcomes and better communities.

Sports Chaplains are not sports psychologists, replacements for player welfare officers or trained counsellors. Sports Chaplains act as first responders to assist people in need to professional services.


Some services Sports Chaplains provide

  • Grief, loss and bereavement support
  • Critical incident response and recovery
  • Life-skills mentoring
  • Mental wellbeing support
  • Suicide awareness and intervention
  • Home and hospital visitations
  • Transitions in life, career guidance and support

Adding Value in Waikato.

Sports Chaplaincy is growing in the Waikato, adding value to clubs, teams and schools.

Melville United AFC, Thames Valley RFU, Cambridge referees, St Paul's Collegiate and St Peter's Cambridge. Hear from Phil Pawley, our National Director, and a few sporting partners.

A Sports Chaplain's Impact.

Sports Chaplains provide support in many ways during the hardest of life's experiences.

This video tells a story when Sports Chaplain, Matt Hawkins, was called upon to lead a blessing ceremony at the AUT Millennium Institute after a tragic death in the pool.

Basketball is Calling!

Through stress, pressure, loss, and victory, Sports Chaplains are present.

Hear from Shane Auld (Southland Sharks chaplain), Chris Homer (Otago Nuggets chaplain), and a few other names in Basketball Otago and Southland.

Our Values

Whanaungatanga Relationship    |    Whakapono Faith    |    Whaiaro Character    |    Whakaute Respect    |    Rangapū Partnership

Sports Sunday

Here in Aotearoa, around 4 million people across the country meet weekly to engage in sport, but we know that players, coaches, and supporters all experience the trials and triumphs of sport and life.

Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand has collaborated with Global Sports Sunday which is a call for churches to express God’s love for people through praying/karakia for sport communities, whether they are next door, in the local community, national, or international.

Are you ready to get in the game? Join us on Global Sports Sunday to pray for the world of sport. More information about Global Sports Sunday here!

Interested in becoming a Sports Chaplain?
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We would really love to hear from you, we have a huge need for more Sports Chaplains throughout our nation!

Inspirational Reflections
These reflections have been written with the aim of encouraging people to find more than just sporting success in this life.
Written inhouse, these reflections are built upon the wisdom found in the Word of God.

Some of Our Sporting Partners