The Christians in Sport Podcast

'Dialogue dinners' or 'meals with a message', are a brilliant way to discuss and share faith with friends at university, yet it can feel intimidating inviting friends over to talk about Jesus. In this special podcast episode, Duncan chats with three students about their experience of sharing their faith at university. 0:00 Intro 1:27 The joys and challenges of university sport 7:37 What is it like...

Over 9 million people play sport each week and millions more watch and talk about sport regularly. At the start of one of the biggest sporting summers in history, we sit down with missiologist and evangelist Phil Knox, to discuss six ways people come to faith today, and how we can make the most of this summer of sport to share the good news of Jesus. Thanks to the Evangelical Alliance for partneri...

This year's Mental Health Awareness Week is themed around movement, including sport and this week we have a special episode with Heather Lewis, project manager at the Mental Health Foundation. Alongside her work, Heather has a specific academic interest in elite sport, having completed a Master's at St. Mary's Twickenham on mental health within a Rugby World Cup context. The Mental Health Foundati...

Jason Romano is the Director of Media with Sports Spectrum and the host of the popular Sports Spectrum Podcast – probably the most popular sports and faith podcast and blog globally. For 17 years, he was an Emmy-Award winning Producer and Senior Manager at ESPN. He has created and produced content for shows such as SportsCenter, NFL LIVE, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Sunday NFL Countdown, College...

Gill's story as a Christian, mother and marathon runner is inspiring. Taking up marathon running in 2011, Gill progressed to a personal best of 2:53:22 in 2016, all while working and more recently becoming a mum. Listen for how Gill's identity in Christ is game-changing for her sport, church, to family life. (0:00) Intro and Jan's bio (1:30) What does it mean to have your sport and faith connected...

On nights out the best opportunity to chat may well be outside in the smoking area, away from the noise and where it’s natural to have a deeper conversation. So, should you smoke on a night out to have gospel conversations with your teammates? (0:00) Intro (0:22) Today's question (0:53) We're called to share our faith (1:40) Permittable vs beneficial (2:42) Temple bodies (3:19) Damaged bodies (4:5...

Jan is a former long track and marathon speed skater, now working for Next Move Sports Ministries in the Netherlands. Jan decided to retire from skating at 22 because he struggled to connect his Christian faith with his passion for sport, yet now he helps top-level athletes to think through how they can combine faith in Christ with competing at the top level of sport.  Listen to find out how Jan's...

John Bostock debuted for Crystal Palace at just 15 years old, still their youngest-ever first-team player. He signed for Spurs a year later but his career wasn't straightforward, spending years on loan and playing abroad.  He came to faith as a teenager and, in 2015, founded Ballers in God, an organisation that aims to disciple professional football players and to make Jesus known in the world of...

Jenny Tait is an Australian volleyball player, earning 66 caps for the Volleyroos indoor team as well as playing for Campbell University in the NCAA and at the top level in Europe. Jenny retired in 2020 and is now studying theology at Moore College in Sydney.  Danno caught up with Jenny to talk about her career in elite sport and her passion to continue working alongside Christian elite athletes n...

Alison Nicholas is a British golfer who reached the pinnacle of the sport in a highly successful career as both a player and then later on as the captain of a victorious Solheim Cup winning team in 2011. In a fascinating interview with Graham Daniels, she talks about what it looks like to be a successful leader and coach in elite sport and how her faith has helped her throughout her golfing career...

Starting university is a really significant transition in life. It can be daunting, unpredictable and challenging as you move from home and look to join a new sports club. Here's six top tips to help you settle in well. 0:00 Intro 0:22 Today's question 0:48 Answer 1:14 Join a church 2:10 Follow Jesus from day one 2:50 Be committed to your sports club 3:32 Be ready for initiations and socials 4:35...

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off we revisit a conversation with Garin Jenkins recorded in 2016. Garin is a former Welsh rugby union player capped 58 times by his country. He played in three World Cups and multiple Five and Six Nations tournaments. In conversation with Graham Daniels, he tells us about his battle with misdirected passion and aggression on the rugby field and how his growing fa...

As a Christian sportsperson, what should you prioritise as you leave university behind and join the world of work? 0:00 Intro 0:22 Today's question 0:38 A significant transition 1:02 Find a church 1:58 Find a club 2:49 Be bold 3:09 Team Up 3:34 Be patient 3:56 Pray

Bertie Kennedy is a top-level cricket analyst who has worked with numerous clubs and franchises across professional cricket, including conducting the inaugural Hundred draft for the Northern Superchargers. He consults for numerous sporting teams to help them make better data-driven decisions alongside lecturing on the MSc in Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire. We caught up w...

Can a Christian really bring glory to God in combat sports like boxing or martial arts? In this episode of AskCIS we look at what the Bible has to say about the use of violence in sport, and ask if it's possible to glorify God if violence is part of your sport. 0:00 Intro 0:22 Today's question 1:06 What is God's glory? 2:21 Is violence inherently wrong in sport? 4:31 What do combat sports promote?...

Fanie Van De Merwe is a multiple Paralympic Champion in track sprinting, with three Gold medals to his name across a career that saw him make three Paralympic Games. Fanie grew up with cerebral palsy but competed alongside able-bodied athletes until a coach suggested he focus on disability sport when he was 17. Fanie and his brother Chris now run a Christian non-profit called Inspired 2 Become, fo...

Issues around what women should wear for sport have been hotly debated in recent times, with plenty of opinions voiced about how much athletes should or shouldn't wear. Some sports even regulate the type of kit female athletes can wear whilst leaving male athletes to choose for themselves. In this episode of AskCIS Rosie Woodbridge takes us through biblical principles on clothing and how we can us...

Eating disorders are disproportionately common in sport, and can be hugely damaging to athletes' physical and mental health. Jonny caught up with Rosie to talk about her experience of battling her eating disorder alongside playing Ultimate Frisbee for Great Britain, and how her faith shaped this struggle. Read more about rosie's eating disorder  👉 https://christiansinsport.org.uk/eatingdisorder 0...

How can you respond if someone says you shouldn't let your child compete on a Sunday? It's a big question that could come easily from another parent, a church leader, or a Christan friend.  In this episode of AskCIS we dig into this question by opening up the Bible to see how God's word might shape a response. Read more about Sunday sport: https://christiansinsport.org.uk/academy/topic/church/ (0:...

For many the season is over, and Wednesdays are no longer taken up with BUCS fixtures. Then once exams are over everything can become a bit of a blur. But what about reaching the world of sport for Christ? How does that fit into the last month of university life? (0:00) Intro (0:22) Today's question (0:48) Answer (1:10) Circumstances change but the need for Jesus doesn't (2:21) There's nothing to...

Matthew Joseph is the man 'coaching the coaches' at Arsenal Football Club's Academy. Matthew played as an Arsenal and England youth team player, gaining an Arsenal pro contract at eighteen. However, at nineteen he was released by Arsenal, a decision that he says broke his heart. He went on to play over 400 games in English League Football for Cambridge United and Leyton Orient before retiring and...

What does it mean to play my sport for God’s glory? We often see people on social media talk about ‘playing for God’s glory’ and ‘all for His glory’ but what does this actually mean?  In this episode of AskCIS we seek to understand what it means to glorify God and how this might play out for Christian sportspeople. (0:00) - Intro (0:22) - Today's question (0:34) - Answer (0:55) - God's goal is to...

Anastasia Chitty (Née Posner) represented Oxford University in five Boat Race crews as well as representing Great Britain at World Cups, World Championships and the World University Games. In 2020 Anastasia retired from rowing to complete her medical studies, giving up her opportunity to compete for a spot in the British Olympic team for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Danno caught up with...

Fitness tracking and activity sharing apps have completely changed the landscape of athletic sports in recent years. In this episode of AskCIS we explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of Strava for the Christian athlete. (0:00) - Intro (0:22) - Today's question (0:42) - Answer (1:20) - Strava connects (2:20) - Strava consumes (3:26) - Strava constricts (4:14) - Should you use strava?

Not making the team is a tough scenario for players and athletes, particularly professionals who are under contract and unable to seek any alternative competition to enjoy. So, how can you respond in worship when you're constantly left out of selection? (0:00) - Intro (0:22) - Today's Question (0:46) - A common frustration for top-level players (1:10) - Three principles (2:09) - How do these play...