Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand

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National Office

The National Office are responsible for the day-to-day running of Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand.

Backed by a board of Directors, the National Office ensure smooth running of operations, offer high quality communication both internally and externally, implement strategies, and aim to achieve all organisation objectives. They also guide the Regional Leadership team in their approach to leading their Sports Chaplains. They offer resources, support, and aid in training and communicating with their local chaplains, clubs, and churches.

Phil Pawley
National Director

Phil Pawley
National Director

Phil Pawley has been on board as National Director since 2018 and previous to his time with SCNZ, he served for 10 years with SCUK as Sports Chaplain to the St. Helens RLFC.

Phil keeps all the staff in line and ensures they are all developing and excelling in their roles, as well as overseeing the growth of SCNZ nationwide. He has recently completed a Masters of Chaplaincy and if you want to get him worked up, ask him about APA referencing! Phil is currently the Lead Sports Chaplain to Motorsport NZ.

When Phil isn’t at work (or prepping his next sermon), you’ll find him BBQing / smoking food, fishing, writing, chilling out with his lovely wife and enjoying their moko.

Matt Hawkins
Operations & Training

Matt Hawkins
Operations & Training

Matt brings with him a background in Human Resource Management, Law, and Christian Ministry, so we know that if it has come through Matt - it's legal and well thought-out!

Among a vast array of other achievements, Matt has 10 years of human resource experience, equal experience in chaplaincy, and has recently completed his Masters in Chaplaincy through the University of Otago. Matt oversees the training of all new Sports Chaplains, and runs in-person workshops which help them become accredited and ready to serve.

If he's not in the office running the background of SCNZ, Matt is out tramping with his family, supporting all four of his multi-talented son's in their expansive careers, or working on a DIY job!

Michaela Jameson
Communications

Michaela Jameson
Communications

Michaela hails from the deep south, and has moved to Wellington to enjoy more of the same average weather.

She is in charge of all internal and external communications, implementing communications strategies, maintaining the SCNZ brand, keeping the website updated, and creating all socials. Michaela is currently Sports Chaplain to the Wellington Phoenix Women's Football Academy.

Growing up, Michaela played rugby, raced BMX, and did figure skating. Sport (in particular BMX) was family time - Michaela and her two brothers all raced, and this took them all across New Zealand. If she’s not designing, Michaela is baking, watching NFL (up the Eagles), playing her fiddle, or up the mountain snowboarding.

Sarah Auld
Training Assistant

Sarah Auld
Training Assistant

In addition to her role as Regional Leader for Southland & Otago, Sarah is also preparing to step into the position of Training Manager for SCNZ, keeping her very busy!

As Training Manager, she will oversee all new Sports Chaplains, guiding them through the accreditation process, managing the necessary administration for onboarding trainees, and placing Sports Chaplains into sporting communities—crucial work that helps expand our impact.

More about Sarah below.

Regional Leaders

Backed by our National Team, our Regional Leaders have extensive knowledge and wisdom around chaplaining and pastorally caring for New Zealand’s sporting community.

They also have a strong understanding of the life challenges New Zealand athletes and supporters face, and they work closely with clubs and teams to improve the team culture, over all wellbeing of the team, and help everyone in their sporting community balance social and life pressures.

Our Regional Leaders are present and will work with you to understand your team culture and build relationships.

Jacolize Becker
Auckland North

Jacolize Becker
Auckland North

Originally from South Africa, Jacolize is known for her big heart, friendly demeanour, and approachable personality. Her passion for connecting with people and her love for sport makes Jacolize an invaluable asset to the SCNZ team and the sporting communities she’s involved in.

Jacolize is a sports enthusiast at heart, with Athletics being her favourite, but she's also a fan of other sports - even watching UFC with her husband and sons!

When she’s not proudly wearing the SCNZ logo, Jacolize is dabbling in photography, painting her most recent landscape photo, or if you want to find her in her happy place, head straight to the ocean! Whether it's swimming, kayaking, or just lounging on the beach, Jacolize loves any activity she can do in, on, or next to the water.

Willie Bryant
Central North Island

Willie Bryant
Central North Island

Willie is known for talking to anyone and everyone, and brings a huge heart and fantastic sense of humour to our team.

A trained teacher, Willie is great at getting alongside people and helping them feel understood and heard. He is always representing us proudly and yarning to everyone about what we do - we’ve never seen him without his SCNZ cap on!

If he’s not making new friends, Willie is collecting old LPs from the 60's-80's, NZ stamps, or Barry Crump 1st edition books. You may also find him playing guitar, running men’s groups, or training basketball referees (he’s HUGE on basketball!)

Wes Smith
Wellington & Tasman

Wes Smith
Wellington & Tasman

Wes brings a peaceful strength in his approach to leading the Wellington/Tasman area. After living in Nelson for many years, Wes and the family moved to Wellington and have settled at Otaki Beach - what a dream!

Wes is a huge football fan, and in his words “I am a HUGE fan of Newcastle United…I LOVE them” - so his chaplaincy placement with the Wellington Saints basketball team is a new lane for him!

When he’s not shaping SCNZ in his area, you’ll find Wes out in the ocean catching waves and riding tubes atop a surfboard.

Rodney Read
Canterbury

Rodney Read
Canterbury

Rodney is chaplain to the Canterbury Rams NBL team and doesn’t let us forget who the reigning champions are!

If he’s not reminiscing about the days of being heavily involved in Athletics (ask him about triple-jump!), Rodney is enjoying some Rugby Union, beginning to dip his toes into Rugby League, or going for a bike ride with his wife Jill (nothing too extreme, we are told!).

Sarah Auld
Otago & Southland

Sarah Auld
Otago & Southland

Based in Invercargill and on the team for over 7 years, Sarah is still loving all things "Sports Chaplaincy"!

Sarah chaplains the staff at ILT Stadium Southland and the Southland Hinds Rugby team, and uses her gift of writing as the author of some of our communications. Sarah connects with local churches and sports communities, and find more chaplains to bring on board.

In her happy place, you'll find Sarah tinkering on the piano, writing poems, or learning reo Māori.

SCNZ Ambassadors

Dotted around Aotearoa, our Ambassadors support our Regional Leaders by taking the load off connecting with chaplains and spreading the word of SCNZ.

They have a strong sense of who we are and what we do, and take a few Sports Chaplains near them under their wing to guide and support them in their placements. Our Ambassadors present in churches, promote SCNZ, and also serve as Sports Chaplains themselves.