Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand

Shaun comes to SCNZ with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of servant-hearted leadership, having spent the past 15 years with The Salvation Army in a variety of national leadership roles.

During this time, he oversaw and supported chaplains across Aotearoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, equipping them to thrive in their calling and walking alongside communities through both everyday life and times of great need.

What stands out most about Shaun is his deep love for people and his commitment to building authentic, lasting relationships. He brings to SCNZ a genuine passion for sport and chaplaincy, as well as a highly relational and adaptable leadership style that values collaboration and welcomes fresh perspectives. His experience working closely with diverse chaplains and communities has shaped in him a strong appreciation for the richness that different voices and cultures bring to sport, chaplaincy, and community life.

As Shaun steps into this role, he carries both a respect for the foundation that has been laid and an enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead. His heart is to see staff and Sports Chaplains supported and equipped, and sporting communities across Aotearoa strengthened through the unique pastoral and wellbeing support that SCNZ provides.

Shaun’s Story

Shaun’s journey has been shaped by a life of service, leadership, and a heart for people. Most recently, he served with The Salvation Army as Territorial Secretary for Chaplaincy Services and Emergency Services Coordinator. In these roles, he carried national oversight for 240 staff and 127 chaplains across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa - equipping leaders, offering pastoral support, and ensuring chaplains were well-resourced to serve their communities.

Through this work, Shaun has developed a deep appreciation for the diverse people and cultures that make up New Zealand’s sporting landscape. He has walked alongside chaplains and communities in both moments of trial and moments of celebration, consistently demonstrating a commitment to relationships, care, and equipping others to thrive.

Shaun’s leadership and contribution have been widely recognised - in 2020, he received SCNZ’s Hauora Award, being named Sports Chaplain of the Year. Beyond his professional life, Shaun is a committed whānau man. He and his wife Karen are raising their three tamariki, Cholae, Joel, and Liam, in Wellington, where Saturdays are often spent on the sidelines cheering their kids on in sport. For Shaun and his family, community, connection, and active living aren’t just values; they’re a way of life.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Whangārei and moved to Melbourne at the age of four. I spent 19 years in Australia before returning to my homeland in 1997 as a 23-year-old.

What’s your favourite sport to play/watch?
I love playing and refereeing touch rugby, though it's been a few years since I last played. My two favourite sports to watch are: Rugby, especially the All Blacks, and Australian Rules Football, which I played for eight years in Melbourne. I'm a proud supporter of the Essendon Bombers (Go Red and Black!).

What’s a hobby or pastime you enjoy outside of work?
I really enjoy watching my kids play sport. Liam plays football for Wellington United, Joel represents Rongotai College in Junior A Football and Futsal, and also plays basketball for Ball Never Lies. Cholae is a netball referee, currently working her way up the ranks.

If you could play any sport professionally, which one would it be?
Fullback for the All Blacks.

What drew you into chaplaincy work in the first place?
I’ve always had a heart for people, especially during life’s challenging moments. I see it as a real privilege to come alongside others and simply be an empathetic, listening ear.

What do you value most in a team?
I value working in a team where trustworthiness is a core principle. Honesty, integrity, and consistency are attributes I deeply appreciate in a team environment.

How has your own faith journey shaped the way you lead?
In 2005, I had a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit, followed by another Holy Spirit experience in 2023. These experiences transformed how I lead, from being overly direct to leading with compassion, understanding, and love. One of my favourite Bible passages is John 13:34–35, which calls us to love one another as Jesus loves us. That’s the foundation of how I now lead.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity for SCNZ in the next few years?
I believe the greatest opportunity lies in the growing number of sports clubs and organisations actively seeking Sports Chaplains, driven by the positive impact they've seen in communities where our Chaplains are already embedded. Across Aotearoa, I see people from all denominations responding to God’s call to Sports Chaplaincy: training, becoming certified, and living out this calling in their local sporting environments. There’s also a significant opportunity for funders to recognise the momentum of this God-led movement and partner with us to support a ministry that is both powerful and deeply transformative.

What role do you believe sport plays in shaping people and communities?
Sport is a powerful tool for enhancing overall wellbeing. It promotes fitness, health, and positive social interaction. It also gives people, young and old, a sense of purpose and direction. A friend once said, “If people are distracted by sport, they’re less likely to be distracted by things that could harm them.” That really stuck with me.

What does “chaplaincy done well” look like to you?
It’s when a chaplain humbly and subtly embeds themselves into a community, meeting people where they’re at, living out Christ’s love, and showing genuine care without expecting anything in return. It’s all done through the power of the Holy Spirit and grounded in prayer. That’s a chaplain wholeheartedly ready for service.

What excites you most about joining SCNZ?
Outside of God and my whānau, my two biggest passions are ministry and sport. Joining SCNZ allows me to live out both at the same time. I also love the Sports Chaplaincy community and can’t wait to do life with people who share that same passion.