Sport

New Zealand has the highest regard for itself of all the countries in the world - cockier than the US, India and even Australia, says a survey by the New York-based international consulting firm Reputation Institute and researchers AMR, which ranked the reputations of 50 countries and 100 cities in a worldwide public poll. Not sure if that's a good world ranking to lead, really - much happier to be # 1 in rugby with the Webb Ellis Trophy in our cabinet. One other that is a disturbing one to be at the forefront on is that we rank second in youth (15 - 24 yrs) suicide rates for both male (to Finland) and female (to Japan). I have been reflecting - as you do - after returning from a sports ministry conference of 550 people from 130 countries on ‘meaning' and ‘perspectives'. The scale of the world hits you in such situations, including talking with a fellow from Swaziland where the population is 1.2m, of whom 300,000 are orphans and a whole generation of parents are missing due to HIV. Then this weekly email arrived from Stuart Weir in the UK about the suicide of the Wales football manager, in which Stuart writes: The world of sport in the UK has been shocked this week by the suicide of a football manger at the age of 42. Ironically in the same week the Sports Book of the year was won by "A life too short", the story of the suicide of the German goalkeeper, Robert Enke.
The newspapers have been full of reflections as everyone sought to understand what was happening....

An article in Thursday’s NZ Herald posed this question  “ Have we all gone mad or is it all worth it to bring a touch of joy into our lives in tough times ? ”.

The reporter was talking about the cost of tickets to Sunday’s NZ All Blacks v France final game with 60,000 people having spent an average of $1000 per ticket to be at Eden Park to watch it live - that’s $56 million and seven times the annual budget of the Auckland City Mission who look after 250,000 people in a year with food parcels & other social services.

One church leader said “Selfishness is the word I’m looking for ………. these are not normal rugby loving people”

Another said “I’m conscious it’s a lot of money but I’m also very aware of the enjoyment & happiness that the RWC has brought to so many people”

So what should be our response to this issue ?

I like the comments in the article of Dr Matheson Russell (philosopher & theologian at Auckland University) who said…………

“ The real question for each fan is this :  Is this $1000 ticket part of a life pattern of  indulgent & self-centered behavior that has little regard for the welfare of others ?
Or is this a cherry on the top of an already meaningful life, a life lived for others, a life of compassion and generosity ? “

ANDREW KERR
Convener – Christian Sports Network NZ

So here we are on the cusp of the rugby world cup final against France next Sunday night 9.00pm at Eden Park.   It will be a nervous wait for the nation, even though we carry the favourite tag given the way we have played so far. However, complacency is also an arch enemy that stalks nearby and number 1 world ranking means so little when it is 24 years since you won your only World Cup and the expectations of all are upon you. Stuart Weir from Verite Sport in the UK has a friend who gave him the following 10 suggestions on how to pray for sport as a player and for how a game may unfold. 1. Pray for energy and focus to perform at your best level consistent with your training and skills.
2. Pray to play to the max and to the end within the rules.
3. Pray that all may be protected from career threatening injury.
4. Pray that the best team (team strength, team skill, team coordination and team spirit) may be revealed by winning.
5. Pray that by your spirit and example Christ is honoured.
6. Pray that you will so respect your opponents that they become friends after the contest.
7. Pray that all forms of cheating will be exposed and punished.
8. Pray that a new generation of people will be inspired to follow and participate in your sport.
9. Pray that you may draw your team members and opponents to follow Christ as Lord.
10. ...

There has been a great effort and contribution to the Rugby World Cup across the country and across denominations.
Wherever the Engage chaplains or hosting programme guests have gone they have been thrilled by the positive welcomes and support offered by church people on behalf of Engage - even to last-minute requests where people have rolled their sleeves up to make something happen in the Kiwi way.

Here's an update as an encouragement from a recent Engag' report:

- The latest analytics indicate the Engage smartphone App has users in 30 countries and 263 cities with a total of 7,242 page views.

- No squad has openly rejected the chaplaincy programme, and relationship with all the RWC Team Liaison Officers has been positive. Chaplains have been actively involved with 60% of the squads, and half of the remainder indicated that they had their own pastoral and spiritual support systems. These figures represent a significant improvement from previous IRB tournaments that have had official chaplaincy and are a source of encouragement.

- The hosting programme has had more hosts available than guests, which is not out of line with expectations given it is the first RWC where it has been offered, and getting it known amongst the players has not been easy given the protocols involved. As the tournament has progressed so has the interest and uptake.

- The ‘Tagga Tour' has been a hit as Timo Tagaloa...

You can feel the momentum building & things are really hectic in NZ as the nation prepares for the first game of Rugby World Cup 2011 this week, particularly those of us involved with ‘Engage'. www.engagenz.org Amongst rugby world initiatives at my church I have been running a small group for 3 weeks called ‘Born to Play - connecting sport & faith'. Based on a book called ‘Born to Play', one of the areas we looked at is "talking to the coach" - in other words prayer - and what the right things to pray for as a sportsperson might be. Things like giving thanks for your sporting abilities, praying to handle both success & failure equally well are things that make sense, along with prayer for those we play with, in our clubs and even the officials ! A couple of emails from the UK today triggered some further thoughts that are well worth passing on : 1) This as part of Stuart Weir's weekly sports email " Increasingly lately I have had the courage to offer to pray for people. Even in our secular society, I have received positive responses. I recently spoke to a senior administrator in the London Olympics who shared with me the pressure he felt in his workload and the long hours - adding that he saw no let-up until 2012. I have no idea if he has any faith or not but I offered to pray that he was able to balance family and work. He seemed grateful. In a month or so I will email to say I have been praying " 2) And this as ‘A prayer for the Rugby World...

With teams arriving for the Rugby World Cup, there is a series of 10  1-minute audio features on the 2Kplus website in which ten notable rugby players/coaches talk about one aspect of their sport and their faith.   http://www.2kplus.org.uk/2011-irb-rugby-world-cup   Well worth listening to ! Andrew Kerr
Convenor - Christian Sports Network NZ

I was sent a link to a really interesting piece today about the resignation - and fall from grace - of Jim Tressel, an outstanding football coach at Ohio State University. The blog on this issue is really thoughtful, offers some challenging perspectives to us all - particularly any involved in coaching, chaplaincy or similar - and is really well worth the time to read.

This happened a long way from NZ, I hear you say, so what is the relevance to us ? The answer to that is it is - sadly - not an uncommon story and it has happened before and will again, but that doesn't mean the reminder isn't worthwhile!
Jim Tressel had a public Christian faith, he had written books on faith and integrity.

The cause of his downfall was his breach of rules pertaining to payments and benefits to players, something strictly barred under NCAA rules. What's worse is he signed declarations stating the opposite so his ‘fall' has been very public and has drawn comments that vary from him being a ‘scapegoat' to being a ‘hypocrite'. Many would rationalise the practices at Ohio as them trying to put themselves on an "even playing field" because "everyone is doing it". It's a not uncommon theme in sport and also in business.

So the relevance to us from this situation to me is how we respond in our own environments to:
- recognising some of the challenges...

The World Cup is just a few weeks away, and the excitement is growing every day! There are many different ways you can be a part of this event, from attending a game and supporting the teams, to getting engaged behind the scenes. New Zealand Christians have a great opportunity to showcase to the world the warmth and hospitality of our nation and faith. Family members of the 20 rugby nations will be coming here to support their loved ones during the tournament. Would you consider opening your home to host a family member or official? Additionally, Engage is facilitating the hosting programme for Cantabs that will be traveling throughout the country to attend relocated matches. For information on both hosting opportunities, visit www.engagenz.org/hosting.html. Maybe you would feel more comfortable in a logistical type role. Engage is seeking a variety of individuals to serve a few hours per week to assist with the Hosting Programme, Church Strategies and Chaplaincy. For information on specific needs in your city, please email Andrew Kerr at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If websites are your thing, we are also seeking a webmaster to maintain the Engage website. Basic knowledge of html is required for this 5-10 hour per week opportunity that will last through the end of October. Inquiries can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please...

"One of the things that amazes many when I tell them is that motor racing is an area in Australia where Sports Chaplaincy is very strong - maybe it's got something to do with the fact that drivers have a real appreciation for how near injury & death are in that sport!" said Andrew Kerr of NZ's Christian Sports Network. "Consequently it may come as no surprise that at the SCA gala event at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne this week V8 Ute driver Andrew ‘Fishtail' Fisher will be the guest speaker." ‘Fishtail' will take the stage alongside AFL legend David (the Ox) Schwarz, to recognise the vital work of sports chaplains nationwide. "It's an honour to speak to such an inspiring audience," says Fishtail. "Sports Chaplains care for the spiritual wellbeing of Australia's leading athletes, who in turn provide our country with leadership, entertainment and inspiration. As a Christian sportsperson I look forward sharing my gratitude for the amazing work done by sports chaplains right across our Nation". 'Fishtail', in his usual direct and to-the-point style will no doubt relish the opportunity to shake up a few paradigms on the night! More than 400 people are expected at the event, which will also be addressed by World Champion Aerial skier Kirstie Marshall (OAM) and Glenn Scott from the VCFL.

Do faith and sport mix? They sure do! One of the groups NZ Christian Network is involved with is the Christian Sports Network, which occasionally issues useful short reflections on some sport-related topic. Convenor Andrew Kerr raised the question of praying for victory.
What a roller coaster Sunday night's Game 2 of the ANBL Finals was for the NZ Breakers V Cairns Taipans – double overtime surely tests the blood pressure, and as a Breaker's fan we spent more times in the down bits of the roller coaster, I can tell you! Over 100 people turned out at Windsor Park Baptist in Auckland to watch it on the big screen. It was an exciting game and typical of why many of us love sport. The question has been asked of the Breakers chaplain, Grant Harris, if he prays for them to win. Trouble is, he says, if he were to do so then the chaplain for the opposition is pulling on the same strings from his side! Stuart Weir (Verite Sport in the UK) recently sent me the piece below about this topic based on Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you. One day this week the main picture on Page 1 of The [London] Times was of Indian cricketers celebrating their victory over Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup. The newspaper editor obviously thought that was the most important thing happening in the world that day! Sometimes there is a sporting contest that somehow grips the world.
What really took my eye was an article on an inside page under the headline "Pakistani prayers not enough",...