Sports Chaplains are volunteers who are trained, accredited, and then placed within sports communities across Aotearoa.They offer free and accessible pastoral care, wellbeing support, referral, and mentoring to athletes, staff, officials, and whānau, both on-site and at their point of need, regardless of religion, lifestyle, and beliefs. Sports Chaplains are the ‘boots on the ground’ in terms of wellbeing support.

SCNZ welcomes committed Christians who have a heart for serving the sporting community. Sports Chaplains undergo specific training to equip them for their role and must meet certain ethical, professional, and pastoral standards.

After meeting in person (coffee is usually involved ☕️) and getting to know you more, we offer two ways to complete our training:

Option 1: A blended learning experience with an online course covering 22 topics and a 1 day workshop, and cohort Zoom meetings to connect with other trainees.

Option 2: Include Sports Chaplaincy training in an NZQA programme of study. This is fee-based and builds upon option one by diving deeper into the themes and topics run by Carey Theological College.

Following training, the accreditation process begins (church endorsement, police vetting, and signing our code of conduct). We then assist in finding a placement for your Sports Chaplaincy journey to

The sports world, while full of excitement and success, can also be stressful, competitive, and emotionally demanding. Athletes, coaches, staff, and their families all face personal struggles, injuries, and challenges, balancing life with their sporting endeavours.

An SCNZ Sports Chaplain provides a comprehensive support system, helping athletes and sports teams thrive in all aspects of their lives. They’re trained to listen, provide support, and connect people to professional care when needed, helping athletes and sports teams navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive both on and off the field.

We love that you already have experience! However, we think you will love our training. It will help you capture our Kaupapa and will help us with our due diligence.

The Sports Chaplain is there to serve and support everyone in the team: players, coaches, managers, supporters, whatever their beliefs may be. If someone would like spiritual support such as having someone pray with them, then the Sports Chaplain is absolutely available to do that. However they will only bring as much spiritual input as is wanted.

The Sports Chaplain will never have expectation to pray with the team or have spiritual conversations if that is not what they want. For those who have no faith or a different faith, the Sports Chaplain is still available as a safe person to talk to, someone to connect with, a listening ear and an encouraging voice. They are there for mental, emotional, and spiritual support, but always respectfully and in whatever context is the most appropriate.

Sports Chaplains are trained to respond with care, calm, and compassion during difficult situations. While we’re not counsellors or therapists, we know how to walk alongside people in moments of grief, trauma, or personal crisis. When professional help is needed, we’ll guide and refer people to the right support services. Our role is to be a trusted, steady presence - someone who listens, encourages, and stands with people when it matters most.

No. Sports Chaplains are not there to preach or push beliefs. Our role is simply to be present - to listen, care, and support people in the sports community, no matter their background or faith.

Sports Chaplains provide pastoral care and spiritual support to all people irrespective of faith or no faith. As people of faith Sports Chaplains understand the importance faith plays in a person’s life and identity. Sports Chaplains act as first responders who make referral, this can mean helping a person find suitable support from within their faith community.

Not at all. While many of our Sports Chaplains do come from a sporting background, it’s not a requirement. What matters most is a genuine heart to serve, the ability to build relationships, and a willingness to support others through the ups and downs of life. If you care about people and can be present in their world, you could make a great Sports Chaplain!

To arrange a donation to Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand, Sports Chaplaincy, or a Sports Chaplain head to our Donate page (orange button at the top of our website). Alternatively, you can contact us using the “Contact Us” form, and after we have received your enquiry we will contact you with information on how you can make a donation. More here.​​​​​​​

No they aren’t, Sports Chaplains serve in a voluntary capacity. The two main reasons for this are we do not want money to be an issue for sports communities who welcome our services, and second, to protect the neutrality and confidentiality of the Sports Chaplain so that they are available as a neutral third party.

Yes. Sports clubs may provide their Sports Chaplain with clothing that carries the club’s logo, branding and sponsors. They may also arrange to cover costs for attendances such as travel, accommodation and meals. If a sports club wishes to make donations to the Sports Chaplain then we ask that they donate to Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand, rather than directly to the individual. The donation will be held in trust for the Sports Chaplain’s use in their Sports Chaplaincy work.

Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand does not condone Sports Chaplains expecting or asking for donations from sports clubs.

Yes, absolutely! Just keep in mind that we match our Sports Chaplains with communities where they'll be the best fit (for both them and you) so there might be a waiting period.

You can contact us here to start a conversation about having a Sports Chaplain placed in your sporting community!

To be accredited with Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand (SCNZ), Sports Chaplains must complete Police vetting, sign the Child Protection Policy, and agree to the Code of Conduct.

Once placed with a team or club, they are mentored and supervised by a Regional Leader, who also ensures smooth communication between the Sports Chaplain and the sports organisation.

Ultimately, all Sports Chaplains are accountable to SCNZ’s National Director and the Board.

Not at all. SCNZ is committed to serving the full spectrum of sport in Aotearoa - from grassroots clubs and community teams to amateur competitions, semi-professional leagues, and elite professional environments. Whether it’s a local junior team or a national squad, our Sports Chaplains are there to walk alongside people at every level of the game, offering care, support, and a consistent presence wherever it’s needed.

SCNZ is an interdenominational Christian organisation, which means we’re not tied to any one church or denomination. Instead, we celebrate the unity of the wider Christian community and work in partnership with local churches all over Aotearoa. Our Sports Chaplains come from a range of church backgrounds, united by a shared faith in Jesus and a desire to serve the sporting world with compassion and care.

The frequency can vary depending on the sport, season, and needs of the team or club. However, most Sports Chaplains aim to be regularly present - often weekly or on game days - to build genuine, trusted relationships over time. It’s about being consistently available, visible, and approachable so that our chaplains can offer meaningful support when it’s needed most.

SCNZ has a growing network of Sports Chaplains serving communities all across Aotearoa - from Northland to Southland and everywhere in between. Our chaplains are placed in a wide variety of sporting codes, covering everything from local grassroots clubs to national and professional teams. Wherever sport is played, we aim to be there, offering care and connection within the heart of each community.