Score Chaplaincy - Rugby Union

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"One of our players is sponsored by the local Ladies Lingerie shop - to the amusement of many of our supporters," explained Stephen Plummer, chaplain of Bedford Blues Rugby Club.

"I discovered that the shop was collecting underwear for women in Africa," continued Stephen. "Apparently they had learned from a mission society that lack of underwear was leaving the women more vulnerable to sexual assault."

So armed with this information, he approached the club and suggested that, given their association with the shop, they advertise the project, and act as a collection point. The club thought it was a great idea and ran with it.

So imagine the sight of guys dropping lingerie into containers scattered around the club. As to the signs on them, we'll leave that totally to your imagination! And all because of the chaplain!

"Joking aside," said David Chawner, SCORE's Rugby Union Coordinator, "this is an illustration of the creative ways chaplains can be involved in their club, linking them into the local community."

Dateline: 5th February 2009

Ospreys Swoop Index - Next Article
Steve Jones, a Baptist minister in Neath, has recently taken on the chaplaincy to the Academy of Neath/Swansea Ospreys rugby club - and he really has been thrown in at the deep end. Not only was he requested to prepare lifestyle workshops for the lads, for which he has developed materials used in football, but was also asked to travel with the first team for their Heineken European Cup game in Perpignan to act as translator.

A fluent French speaker, Steve was chaplain to the French squad during the Junior World Championships in June last year, so in some ways he had been prepared for the job. Neverthless it remained a real challenge. But it didn't end there. Steve even finished up on the pitch as he helped support Lee Byrne, the Wales full back, as he left the field injured. Maybe it's the bench next for Steve!

Dateline: 28th May 2008
JWC Team News Index - Next Article
The chaplaincy team for the Junior World Championship reached its full complement today with the briefing meeting for those working with the teams based in Wrexham.

David Chawner, SCORE's Chaplaincy Coordinator for Rugby Union, said, "I believe we have been able to put together a strong and well prepared team. Now we have to deliver on the pitch."
He expressed his particular pleasure in seeing the North Wales group come together.

"All too often the north gets overlooked when it comes to sport in Wales," he said. "Although these guys may be new to sports chaplaincy, I'm confident they have the ability and integrity to have a real impact on the tournament."

Dateline: 22nd May 2008

Who Cares About the Ref? Index - Next Article - Previous Article
The answer is, "SCORE does."

For the past few months David Chawner, SCORE's Rugby Union Chaplaincy Coordinator, has been talking with Tony Spreadbury, who from 1st July will be the RFU match officials supremo, about the possible provision of pastoral care to those who undertake the often thankless task of being in the middle or running the line.

These talks have resulted in David Chawner being invited to address the Elite Officials annual conference at the end of August.

The ultimate objective is to have a system for supporting those officiating at all levels, starting at the Guinness Premiership level. From next season there will be 7 fully professional referees on the RFU panel.

"The advent of the Experimental Law Variations," said Chawner "leaves plenty of scope for misunderstanding between officials, coaches, players & fans - as if their task were not stressful enough. It's good to know that we're working to put in place a support system for them."

Dateline: 16th May 2008

A Year in Rugby Index - Next Article - Previous Article
Around 40 supporters of the SCORE, some from as far away as the West Country & the South Coast, gathered last night (Thursday 15th May) at the London Wasps Training Ground in Acton to celebrate the first full year of the post of full time Rugby Union Coordinator.

David Chawner outlined the progress made in that time with 11 new chaplains brought into the SCORE network, chaplaincy provided at the U19 & Junior World Championships, and new links built with the various National Unions and other governing bodies of the sport.

He then went on to outline some targets for the future, including having a chaplain at every professional club and province, and more chaplains at other levels.

There were also contributions from players outlining the importance of chaplaincy to them and from one of the new chaplains about his role.

Matt Baker, Trustee of SCORE, also spoke of the way he had seen the work develop and led in prayer.

From the enthusiastic feedback received, it proved to be an evening of great encouragement as well as a springboard into the next year.

Dateline: 15th May 2008

Prepared for Action Index - Next Article - Previous Article
The South Wales chaplains for the Junior World Championship (JWC) met together for the first time yesterday. The briefing meeting was held at Rodney Parade, Newport, home of the Newport Gwent Dragons.

James Chapron, Tournament Coordinator, outlined the overall scope of the competition, and David Chawner, SCORE's Rugby Union Coordinator, explained how the practical details of the chaplaincy work.

Pete Orphan, SCORE Regional Coordinator in South Wales, explained the way rugby chaplaincy was developing in Wales, and Mark Lawson-Jones, Dragons Chaplain, acted as host.

There are 16 competing nations arranged into groups of four, each group based in a different geographical location. Each team will have a chaplain allocated to it.

"Most interesting and helpful" was just one of the comments received from those present. "It's an exciting start to what promises to be an outstanding competition both on and off the field," said Chawner. "Through its chaplaincy provision SCORE is looking to add an extra dimension to the excellent work of the WRU."

Dateline: 30th April 2008

Welsh Success Index - Next Article - Previous Article
London Welsh may not have had as successful a season as their national team, but they certainly have got ahead of them in appointing a chaplain.

Paul Hill, minister of East Sheen Baptist Church, was introduced to the squad after their last home game of the current season, and will formally take u the role at the commencement of the 2008/2009 season.

Paul's appointment coincides with Welsh becoming a full time professional outfit for next season.

David Chawner, SCORE's Coordinator for Rugby Union expressed his delight at this new development. "From the moment we started talking about the possibility, there was a real enthusiasm for having a chaplain at the club."

"I look forward to seeing the role add value to all the other developments at Old Deer Park."

Dateline: 31st March 2008
Chaplains to the World Index - Next Article - Previous Article
For the second year running SCORE has been invited to provide official chaplaincy to an International Rugby Board (IRB) age grade tournament.

In 2007, at the invitation of the Ulster Branch of the IRU, the SCORE Ulster Regional Group provided chaplaincy for all teams involved in the U19 World Championship.

This year SCORE is working with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), hosts of the second biggest international competition in the rugby union calendar - the Junior (U20) World Championship.

From 6th to 22nd June the future stars of world rugby will be competing in 4 centres (Swansea, Cardiff, Newport & Wrexham) for the honour of being Junior World Champions.

"It is both a privilege and a challenge to be an integral part of such a major competition," said David Chawner (SCORE's Rugby Union Chaplaincy Coordinator), "and we look forward to working closely with the WRU".

SCORE's plan is to have a chaplain for each of the competing nations, as well as a chaplain on duty at every game.

For more details of the championship see http://www.wru.co.uk/8525_16635.php

Dateline: 30th March

Bristol Fashion Index - Next Article - Previous Article
Just this week a new SCORE chaplain was introduced to officials at Bristol Rugby. Simon Jones, will be officially introduced to the players during pre-season training.

Simon is vicar of St Michael's, Stoke Gifford, and himself an ex-rugby player.

With the recent appointment at Worcester Warriors, this completes a full hand of SCORE chaplains in West Country Premiership clubs.Dateline: 25th March 2008

A Warrior Chaplain Index - Previous Article

Chaplaincy and warriors wouldn't appear to be the most natural companions, but that is certainly not the case with Worcester Warriors, who have just appointed a chaplain: Andy Kelso, a vicar in Redditch and keen Warriors' supporter.

Originally the plan was to officially launch the chaplaincy during pre-season training, but Andy has already taken up some duties.

This has been the quickest SCORE Rugby Union appointment so far in terms of the time between first contact with the club and the chaplain taking up the post - in all about 3 months.

	Sunday, 5th February 2012
Chaplaincy is integral to the life and work of London Wasps. Professional sport brings many pressures both on and off the pitch. Both players and staff at London Wasps have benefitted from the personal pastoral & spiritual support provided, and we happily commend it to others. Tony Copsey, CEO London Wasps
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