FLS - Faith Life Sport

In this special Best Of episode of the FLS Podcast, we bring together three powerful conversations with athletes from different sports, all sharing their journeys of faith, perseverance, and purpose. We hear from Sunshine Coast surfer Reef Heazlewood, who has risen from riding waves as a toddler to competing on the world stage, including a win at the 2025 Taiwan Open of Surfing. Reef opens up abou...

 In this special “best of” episode of the FLS Podcast, we revisit three powerful conversations from Season 4. Hear from husband-and-wife duo Manasa and Martha Mataele as they share their journey through professional rugby and rugby league, grounded in a shared Christian faith. New Zealand freeride skier Luke McConnell opens up about living out his faith on the slopes, while Matt Ellis reflects on...

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, we’re joined by Sunshine Coast surfer Reef Heazlewood, whose journey from riding waves as a toddler to competing on the WSL Challenger and Qualifying Series—including a win at the 2025 Taiwan Open of Surfing—has been driven by passion and perseverance. Reed also shares his personal faith story, how it became his own at 18, and the role it plays in navigating lif...

A Goulburn junior, Dayne progressed through the Wollongong ranks before making his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2007, later playing for the Storm, Panthers and Cowboys, and finishing his career in the UK. He opens up about his struggles with depression and anxiety, a challenging period in his life, and how teammate David Simmons sharing his faith with him had a significant impact and helped him fin...

Brad Thorn was one of the toughest and most respected players on the football field. He competed at the highest level in both rugby league and rugby union, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia in rugby league, before switching codes to enjoy a successful rugby union career. During his time in union, Brad played for several years at the elite level and was part of the legenda...

In this episode we’re joined by former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue for an honest and inspiring conversation about footy, faith and life after the game. Alan shares stories of growing up and playing rugby league in regional NSW, the journey and sacrifices it took to earn his opportunity in the NRL in the early 2000s, and wearing the Raiders jersey. We also dive into his Christian faith, ho...

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, Graeme's catching up with Matt Ellis — a passionate follower of Jesus and lifelong cricket lover whose journey has taken some unexpected turns. Matt shares how his love for cricket began at just eight years old, and how that passion has remained a constant thread throughout his life. From starting out as an insurance salesperson, to stepping into church ministry...

 In this episode of the FLS Podcast we chat with Luke McConnell , a freeride skier from New Zealand. Luke shares openly about his Christian faith , how it shapes his life on and off the slopes, and the unique way he’s able to witness to others by wearing a cross on his helmet – making his faith visible every time he skis. To follow Luke on Instagram - instagram.com/lukemcconnell.nz/?hl=en For more...

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Gupta , one of New South Wales’ promising young cricketers. Ryan first fell in love with the game around the age of eight or nine, a passion that has carried him into the NSW Blues Academy as he continues to develop as an exciting player to watch. Raised in a Christian family, with his father serving as a pastor, Ryan grew up hearing the go...

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, we sit down with our first-ever husband-and-wife guests — Manasa and Martha Mataele . Both athletes in their own right, Manasa plays professional rugby while Martha pursues her career in rugby league. They open up about their upbringings in Fiji and New Zealand , the different paths that led them into sport, and the shared faith that anchors their lives. The Mat...

In this episode, Graeme looks back over extra the highlights of Season 3. FLS - Past and present Christians in sport sharing about their faith, life and sport. We hear from - Jane Powell —former England cricketer, ex-national hockey coach, and now President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club—shares her remarkable journey through elite sport. She reflects on the highs and lows of coaching and leaders...

In this episode, Graeme looks back over the highlights of Season 3...so far . FLS - Past and present Christians in sport sharing about their faith, life and sport. We hear from - Cam Butler Cam takes us through his journey growing up in Melbourne with a deep love for sport. He reflects on his incredible 15-year tenure as Chaplain to the Melbourne AFL side, offering a unique look into the intersect...

Born in New Zealand and raised in Sydney, Dave’s journey has taken him from a range of jobs to studying theology at Moore College. He later served in ministry across regional New South Wales. Now back in Christchurch, he works with Athletes in Action, supporting student and pro athletes in their faith. To get in touch with Dave - Dave.morgan@athletesinaction.org.nz Athlete's in Action NZ - athlete...

In this episode, we sit down with Kare Adenegan, British wheelchair athlete and Paralympian, who discovered her passion for sport after watching the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Born with cerebral palsy, Kare shares how seeing wheelchair racing for the first time opened her eyes to a new world—one that was fast, thrilling, and full of possibility. She reflects on her journey from a curious teenag...

 In this episode, Jane Powell—former England cricketer, ex-national hockey coach, and now President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club—shares her remarkable journey through elite sport. She reflects on the highs and lows of coaching and leadership, and how her Christian faith has shaped every stage of her life. Jane speaks candidly about living out her faith both on and off the field. Yorkshire Coun...

Growing up in South Africa, but then moving to Australia with his family at a young age, Marnus Labuschagne has always loved cricket. Coming through the grades in Queensland cricket to then making his Australian debut in 2018, he has since become a mainstay in the Test side, along with playing some One Day and T20 Internationals over the past few years. Marnus in our chat shares about his upbringi...

In this inspiring episode, Stephen shares his journey of faith, overcoming a life-altering accident at age 12 that led to the loss of his leg. He reflects on how his Christian faith guided him and shaped his path into education. Now serving as the principal of a Christian high school in Queensland, he discusses the profound impact his faith continues to have on his leadership and daily life. For m...

In this episode, we chat with Ellie, an inspiring English netballer who made her international debut in 2022. Raised in a Christian household, Ellie’s faith became an integral part of her life as a teenager, and she’s since used her platform in sport to share her beliefs with others. She opens up about her journey, balancing the demands of professional sport with her personal faith.  www.netballsl...

 In this episode, Cam takes us through his journey growing up in Melbourne with a deep love for sport. He reflects on his incredible 15-year tenure as Chaplain to the Melbourne AFL side, offering a unique look into the intersection of faith and professional sport. Cam also shares his impactful work with Sports Chaplaincy Australia, helping athletes navigate the challenges of their careers. He also...

In this episode, Graeme looks back over the highlights of Season 2...so far . FLS - Past and present Christians in sport sharing about their faith, life and sport. We hear from - Ian Bishop - Cricket Ian grew up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, starting playing cricket at a younger age. He shares in our chat about growing up with his faith, his cricketing debut for the West Indies and now as h...

In this episode, Graeme looks back over the highlights of Season 2...so far . FLS - Past and present Christians in sport sharing about their faith, life and sport. We hear from -  Dave Nilsson - Baseball Dave didn't grew up a Christian, but upon moving to America to pursue his baseball career, it was seeing how his fellow team mates acted and related, that David came closer to God.  Sharing in thi...

Debbie Bruwer (nee Flood) didn't start rowing until she was in her mid teens, but went on to represent Great Britain at 3 Olympic Games, picking up Silver at both the 2004 and 2008 games. In this episode she shares about her Christian faith, how she got into the sport, and what she's doing now through her role helping other athletes with the Christians in Sport ministry in the UK.  To find out mor...

Roy is the International Director for Christian Surfers.  In this episode he talks about his upbringing in South Africa, and how he got into surfing. Even, how he actually gave away surfing for a period of time. How his Christian faith was cemented on a mission trip in the bush - a long way from the nearest beach! And,  he also shares about the new version of the Surfers Bible which Christian Surf...

Growing up in a family that loved sports, it’s all Jason ever wanted to be involved with. Beginning his media journey in local radio, it then lead to a 17 year career as a Producer and Manager at EPSN - the worlds biggest sports network.  Since 2017, Jason has combined his Christian faith and love of sport as the Director of Media with Christian sports ministry - Sports Spectrum.  In this episode,...

Growing up in South Africa, but then moving to Australia with his family at a young age, Marnus Labuschagne has always loved cricket. Coming through the grades in Queensland cricket to then making his Australian debut in 2018, he has since become a mainstay in the Test side, along with playing some One Day and T20 Internationals over the past few years. Marnus in our chat shares about his upbringi...