SCORE, standing for Sports Chaplains Offering Resources and Encouragement, was established in 1991 under the guidance and direction of the Baptist Union of Great Britain to utilise the specialist experience of one of their ministers to pioneer sports chaplaincy and sports ministry.
We desire to make quality chaplaincy available to the whole world of sport.
We hope to extend the network of chaplains serving
football clubs. Presently, about 70% of league clubs have a chaplain, and many non-league clubs have one as well. The work in
Rugby League & in
Rugby Union is expanding, so that in each code between most of the teams in the top divisions have official chaplaincy appointments. The work in
Horse Racing is now well established, the number of opportunities abound and the need for expansion is evident. We have established effective chaplaincy in other sports, such as
County Cricket, and are supporting other initiatives in
Motor Sports, Basketball, Athletics, Tennis, and Golf. Other opportunities are beckoning, not least at major national and international sports events due our experience in at various Commonwealth,
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Much effective work is being done within the regions.
Scotland,
Northern Ireland &
Wales all have effective development groups, and in each region the network is growing steadily.
Because of the extent of the work, more workers are needed, but this requires additional funding that we do not yet have. We hope to establish a secure financial base in order for us to appoint the necessary personnel in the future. We are very grateful for all those who work on behalf of Score in a voluntary capacity.
Our experience of chaplaincy at Bolton Wanderers has been uplifting...it has added a new and extremely important dimension to management and welfare...[but] is not something that can be provided by every clergy person. It is essential that any club... ensures that the right clergy are involved. SCORE can add significant value to chaplaincy and possibly promote it, by helping organisations to select clergy who are suitable for the role.
