The Christians in Sport Podcast

We sat down with Gavin Peacock, former professional footballer and pundit and now a pastor to discuss his story as he's just released his autobiography. Reflecting on an 18-year career as a pro playing for QPR, Gillingham, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Chelsea he talks about: - Coming to faith as a young pro - Why he took a risk and dropped down the leagues - Playing for some of the greatest managers around - Navigating retirement with a new career with Sky and the BBC - Life now as a pastor in Canada You can buy Gavin's book from all good bookshops including from his publisher Christian Focus here. 

This week we partner with podcast Hit For Six as we listen into their interview with Rev. Andrew Wingfield Digby - our first director, a very good cricketer and a one-time England Cricket Chaplain. Listen in as he speaks about: His love for cricket from a young age How he came to faith  Starting Christians in Sport Controversy as captain of Dorset  And Becoming the “spiritual advisor” of the England cricket team  Enjoy!

Donnie Campbell joins us this week. He is a mountain and ultra runner who speaks about: ✅ How he keeps going when he wants to quit ✅ Coping with loneliness on week long runs ✅ Why he enjoys the pain of racing ✅ The Munro Challenge which lasted 31 days ...and more about what it means for him to be a Christian in his world of sport.

How on earth does a Christian navigate the hot topic of referees and officials? What does this look like at the top end of sport when everything is on the line? Danno and Pete Browne join us with their stories and experiences from the world of professional football and rugby to chat: - Professional fouls and playing within the rules - What it looks like to respect the officials - What it looks like to be counter cultural as a Christian in this area In 40 minutes full of stories and discussion, you'll hear some fascinating conversation about something every sportsperson needs to think about at some stage in their careers. 

This week in the UK is Mental Health Awareness Week. Last Autumn we recorded an episode looking at Mental Health in sport as part of our video series, More Than Sport. Broadcaster John-Paul Davies spoke with Michael Bennett, Director of Player Welfare at the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). John-Paul is then joined by Graham Daniels, a former player and current Director of League 2 Cambridge United and General Director of Christians in Sport. He has been involved in professional sport for forty years and speaks widely on sport, wellbeing and faith. #MentalHealth

How do we cope with pressure in sport?   In this episode we are joined by Alison Nicholas and Debbie Bruwer. Ali was 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.  Debbie Bruwer (nee Flood) is a rower who was won medals at two Olympic games and won three World Championship gold medals. In this episode they speak about how they coped with pressure during their careers. From leading the US Open to competing at a home Olympics, both have amazing stories and insight. As Christians they speak about what difference knowing Jesus made to them as they struggled with the inevitable nerves and pressure at the top end of sport. ABOUT CHRISTIANS IN SPORT Christians in Sport is a movement of competitors, coaches and officials.  We exist to reach the world of sport for Christ.

Amateur sport in the UK is back after 12 months of stop-start seasons.  In this podcast series opener we chat with Ian Lancaster about what we've missed and why and catch up with a couple of sports players about what it's like being back now.  

Joe and Rhi join us to tell us all about their experiences of starting university as a Christian who loves sport.

We're joined by Stephen Liggins, author of 'The Good Sporting Life.' Sport has the power to captivate the heart, inspire the imagination and even to shape nations. It is loved by billions of people around the planet—and Christians are no exception. But how should we think about sport Christianly? How can sport be a plus and not a minus for our spiritual lives and the kingdom of God? In this book, author, pastor, sportsperson Stephen Liggins unpacks what it means to live the good sporting life. Listen in on our interview and head to 10ofthose.com to buy his book.

Danno sits down with Pete Nicholas from Inspire Saint James in London to talk about identity formation in top level sport.  This podcast includes a Q+A with Danno after the interview.