The Christians in Sport Podcast

We move into the world of coaching for our latest podcast as Danno crosses the Pond to meet Val Gin. A professor of kinesiology at Gordon College, Massachusetts, Val was a successful women’s volleyball and softball coach for 13 years before changing her focus to training coaches of the future. Val’s Christian faith is integral to this work as she seeks to combine physical training and training in godliness with those she mentors. She is also the co-author of the novel When Girls Became Lions which looks at the legacy of Title IX – a famous 1972 US law. This gave girls the same education opportunities as boys and was crucial in opening up the world of sport to them. You can buy a copy of the book here. A beneficiary of Title IX as a young volleyball player, Val tells Danno there is still more to be done to make sport a level playing field regardless of gender. From childhood, sport and faith have been a huge part of Val’s life. She said: “Early on, I knew that God shaped me and formed me in my mother’s womb. I happened to be a competitive person, wired for sport and always have been since day one.” Val is now looking to use the role God has given her to make an impact for His kingdom. What she says will have particular resonance with sportswomen and coaches, but will challenge us all. Listen to this fascinating podcast as Val talks about: - Her struggle to convince publishers that a book on women’s sport would sell - Her own experience as a young volleyballer having to play second fiddle to the men’s teams - The importance of being ‘at your best’ in how you play and coach - God’s call for her to mentor coaches - Having joy in her work and witnessing to other coaches - What it looks like to be a Christian coach - How we can love our opponents - The challenge to make coaching not simply about winning And much more…

With the RBS 6 Nations in full flow, we return to the rugby field for this month’s Christians in Sport Podcast with former England international Ann O'Flynn. Listen to this absorbing podcast as Ann talks about: -   Being an “anomaly” as a girl playing rugby (2 mins 30 sec)   - Setting up a women’s rugby club at Liverpool University so she didn’t have to play for their rivals (7.00) - Plotting her path to play for England (8.30) - How her family fitted rugby around church (13.05) - Becoming “more unmanageable” during the summer when she couldn’t play rugby (13.50) - Making her England debut in oversized kit (17.45) - Prioritising rugby over beer as a student (19.00) - Switching from the backs hooker (21.30) - Mixed emotions at the 2002 World Cup (25.30) - Feeling distraught at missing out on the 2006 World Cup due to injury (28.25) - Becoming a referee (33.00) and dealing with sceptical male players (35.20) - Worshipping God and her role as a chaplain (36.40) And much more… #rugby #sixnations #womenssport #iwd

We are marking the return of the Six Nations with a foray into the world of rugby union for the latest Christians in Sport podcast, but this month’s interviewee has a far from conventional tale to tell. Danno meets wildman turned inspirational youth coach Chris Jones. Although a Welsh junior international, Chris was soon far better known for his violent antics on off the field, which earned him the dubious honour of being banned for life twice. Chris, whose story has been well-chronicled in print, was renowned for carrying an axe in his kitbag and prided himself in being among the hardest men in the Rhondda Valley. Here he speaks of how the culture he grew up in led to him seeking to earn admiration in the best way he knew how – as a thug. Chris’ behaviour came to ahead at the most unlikely of places – the Brecon Jazz Festival – after which his life was turned upside down when he came to faith in Jesus. After his first life ban, a journalist put it to Chris that his influence on the young people of the Rhondda Valley was terrible. Chris’ reply at the time was “I don’t care”. Decades later, he is having a very different impact as he puts his faith into action as Rhondda’s rugby development officer. On becoming a Christian, Chris initially felt rugby was his problem and that he needed to abandon the sport, but then he came to realise how God could use him in the world he once terrorised. Listen to this fascinating podcast as Chris talks about: Why he carried the axe in his kit bag (1 min 40 secs) How he looked to earn the respect of his peers (3.45) His numerous sending-offs and brushes with officialdom (7.20) The unlikely turning point in his life (13.00) The influence of a Christian work colleague and his great reaction when Chris came to faith (17.30) His doubts about getting back involved in rugby as a new Christian (22.30) The doubts school teachers had when he became the local rugby development officer (25.00) What he loves most about his coaching role (27.40) His regrets at not coming to faith earlier (30.00) And much more… #sixnations #rugby #wales #danno #grahamdaniels

We kick off the new year on the Christians in Sport podcast with a trip to the Hawthorns – home of West Bromwich Albion. Here Danno meets former West Brom, Derby and Portsmouth defender Darren Moore, who is now First Team Coach of West Brom. Listen to this absorbing podcast as Darren talks about: The last-minute call up that saw him make his first-team debut at 17 (4mins 20secs) The gut-wrenching experience of not getting to play in the Premier League after winning promotion with Bradford City (6.30) The influence Bradford teammate Wayne Jacobs had on his Christian faith (9.20) How he felt when he understood he could trust God and not be fearful (11.30) The chances he had to share his faith in Jesus with teammates at Portsmouth (14.40) His friendship with Linvoy Primus, who also became a Christian (18.40) The rollercoaster experience of yo-yoing between the Championship and the Premier League with West Brom (19.40) Winning the Championship Play-off Final with Derby against West Brom (22.50) Helping current footballers look to Christ (25.00) The assurance of his secure status as a child of God (28.45) Being part of a fellowship group for Christian footballers in the Midlands (31.50) And much more…

Paralympian Niel Louw has an amazing story. Listen to the podcast as Niel talks about The freak accident that should have killed him (2mins 20secs) The great opportunity God gave him as a disabled athlete (5.10) Winning his first Paralympic medal in the 200m final at Barcelona 1992 (9.40) Finally beating his rival, the world-record holding Nigerian sprinter Adeoye Ajibola (11.55) Having his hopes of victory at Sydney 2000 ended by a hamstring tear (14.00) Sharing his faith in Jesus as an athlete (17.15) The importance of church in his life (20.38) The vision of All Ability Ministry (21.50) How disability sport has changed since he first competed (24.40) Helping disabled athletes share their faith (26.00) His inspiring motto (28.50) And much more… #paralympian #paralympics #athlete #sprinter #southafrica

Jane Powell is now involved with her fourth different international sport in an illustrious career as a player and now a coach. Listen to as Jane talks about: - Choosing which sports to play (1min 43secs) - Her ambitions growing up (4.35) - Leading England out for the World Cup final in Melbourne (8.05) - How she became a Christian (12.48) - Coaching hockey in Iran (24.10) and at London 2012 (18.36) - Representing Jesus throughout her sporting career (27.03) - And much more…

Buckle up as the Christians in Sport Podcast visits the high-speed world of motorsport. Seeking career advice from an ex-Formula 1 driver proved a life-changing experience for Adriano Medeiros. Hoping for some help to fulfil his dream of making it in the world of motor racing, the Brazilian instead began a journey of faith that is still shaping his exploits on the track today. Adriano thought Alex Dias Ribeiro might point him in the right direction to drive professionally overseas, but was told “I can help you meet Jesus Christ”. Ribeiro was renowned for having ‘Jesus saves’ displayed on his car during his F1 races in the late 1970s. His meeting with Adriano prompted the younger man to look into this Jesus in the Bible and put his trust in Him. Some 20 years later, Adriano is himself racing with his own ‘Jesus Saves’ team in the UK in the Classic Formula Ford Championship. Having grown up as a motor racing mad youngster near the Interlagos track in Sao Paolo, he is now looking to use the sporting gifts he has been given to make Jesus known. Listen as Adriano talks about… How he went from being “very against church” to finding faith in Jesus His financial struggles as he sought to make it in motor racing Racing hard and competing fairly as a follower of Jesus The opportunities he has to share his faith Bunking off school to watch the cars at Interlagos And much more…. Produced by Effie Productions

As the Rio Olympics get under way, ex-athletes Debbie Flood and Adam Pengilly tell us what it is like to compete at the games. Debbie won silver medals as a rower at Athens and Beijing and also reached the final in London. Adam raced skeleton bobsleigh at Turin and Vancouver, winning a world silver medal in between. Here the pair offer an insider’s view on the games and share how their Christian faith shaped their view of the Olympics.

An audio extract of an article written about doping and what the Christian faith has to say about it. To read the full article go to christiansinsport.org.uk/losing

PARYS Edwards has competed at the top level in two different sports over a 20-year career that is still going strong. Starting off as junior hockey international in her native Zimbabwe, she then represented South Africa at under 21 and student level. A move to England saw her win three national titles with Leicester before a new challenge dawned. Parys took up triathlon aged 30 after being prompted by a housemate in London and was soon winning global amateur titles. Then aged 37 in 2014, she turned professional to race in the half ironman discipline. Faith has played a role in her life since she and twin sister Dallah went away to boarding school aged 12, but her Christian journey has been far from plain sailing. In this podcast, Parys talks to Graham Daniels about her highs and lows in sport and how she realised she can honour God by the way she competes. Listen in to hear Parys speak about: • Juggling hockey, partying and studying at university • The pain of being dropped from the South Africa squad before she could win a full cap • The influence of her sister and how her witness helped Parys fully commit to God • Tactics for a night out with her teammates • The difference committing her sport to God has made • And much more… Produced with Effie Productions