Sports Chaplaincy Australia

Sports Chaplaincy Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the wellbeing of individuals and communities through the power of sport. By recruiting, training and supporting accredited volunteer chaplains, Sports Chaplaincy Australia provides accessible, relationship-based care within community sporting clubs across Australia.

Sport is one of the few places where people of all ages and backgrounds regularly come together. This creates a unique opportunity to identify challenges early, foster connection, and provide trusted support before issues escalate into crisis. Chaplains are embedded within clubs, building genuine relationships with players, coaches, volunteers, officials and families. They offer pastoral care, emotional support, crisis response and referrals to specialist services when additional help is needed.

With more than 380 trained chaplains currently serving communities nationwide, Sports Chaplaincy Australia supports the wellbeing of over 185,000 Australians each year through regular club engagement, one-on-one conversations, mentoring and community presence. Every chaplain completes comprehensive training covering areas such as active listening, mental health awareness, suicide intervention, child safety, ethical practice and referral pathways.

As mental health challenges, social isolation and community pressures continue to grow, the demand for preventative, community-based support has never been greater. Sports Chaplaincy Australia’s vision is to expand its national network to more than 850 chaplains by 2030, significantly increasing access to trusted wellbeing support in local sporting communities across Australia.

By investing in Sports Chaplaincy Australia, funders are helping create stronger, healthier and more connected communities where people are known, supported and able to thrive – both on and off the field.

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