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THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES ARE COMING TO LONDON
Score
extends it’s congratulations to Lord Sebastian Coe & the entire London 2012 Olympic Bid Team on their successful efforts to win the bid for London to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Quite obviously, as the quotes below suggest, sports men & women around the UK are quite excited at the prospect.
"It is the most fantastic opportunity to do
everything we've ever dreamed of in British sport. We have a chance over seven years and way beyond that to change the face of British sport." Double Olympic Gold
Medlalist & London 2012 Bid Team Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe
"It is absolutely incredible. I know how
passionate it is to be involved in the Olympics. It will do wonders for everybody and will change our country around so much. The fact that the whole country is behind it is such a big thing!!” Double Olympic Gold Medalist Kelly Holmes
“This will be a great boost for the whole
of the country. I'm looking forward to being at the 100m final in 2012.” Manchester United & England Defender Rio Ferdinand
“The Olympic spirit is alive in the UK and
this is a stunning triumph for us. We can now show off the best of British to the world.” Former England Rugby Captain Lawrence Dallaglio
“I believe that sport in this country will
benefit enormously with London hosting the Olympics. It's a great honour and something we can take great pride in as a country.” England Cricket Captain Michael Vaughan
SCORE and Major Event Chaplaincy
SCORE has provided chaplaincy at several major sports events including the 1996 European
Football Championships, the 1999 World Cross-Country Championships, the 2000 World Rugby League Finals, and the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships. However, in 2002 SCORE
took a giant step forward as it organised & coordinated the entirety of the multi-faith Chaplaincy Provision at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
We identified, trained and deployed almost 40 chaplains into 4 distinct teams working in the Athletes. Village, the Games venues, the public areas around the main stadia, and the city centre. The Games
administrators became very supportive & appreciative of the sensitive, professional nature of the chaplaincy under SCORE’s leadership. Our chaplains were truly involved
with many people, offering spiritual support and pastoral care to athletes, administrators, spectators, media representatives, volunteers and others
associated with the Games. As a result of that experience, Rev. John Boyers, Score’s National Director, served as a consultant to ATHOC over the religious services provisions for the
Athens 2004 Olympics & Paralympic Games, and as an actual chaplain at both events. We are encouraged that our Score material describing the principles and practices of Major Event
Chaplaincy was used by ATHOC as the basis for their RSC provisions, and that Score's training material for major sports event chaplaincy was used to prepare many of the chaplains for their
responsibilities."
For a synopsis of his activities in Athens, please see the Manchester United write-up below.
One of Score’s newest staff appointees, the Rev Mary Vickers, also served on the chaplaincy
team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. If you would like to read more about her involvement with the Olympics, CLICK HERE.
For more information about Score’s other major event chaplaincy involvements, please see our Chaplaincy in Sport page.
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB ARTICLE
NOTE: The following article about Rev John Boyers involvement in the 2004 Athens Olympics
is reprinted with permission. It first appeared in the October 3, 2004 issue of UNITED REVIEW, the matchday programme of Manchester United Football Club.
“Helping Hand”
When the Athens organisers needed someone to take care of the Olympic and Paralympic chaplaincy, their first port of call was 'the Rev'.
While Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo were busy showcasing their talents on the world
stage in Athens, another key member of the United team was hard at work behind the scenes at the Olympics. Club chaplain, the Reverend John Boyers, has spent most of the summer
working with the Olympic and Paralympic chaplaincy in Greece.
'The Rev', as he's known at Old Trafford
and Carrington, splits his time between United and working as the national director of SCORE, a registered charity specialising in sports chaplaincy. “We were asked to plan
and organise the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester chaplaincy, which went very well indeed,” he explained. “Because of that, I was contacted by people in Athens to help and advise them over the Olympic and
Paralympic chaplaincy provision.”
The charity's normal weekly work revolves around local clubs at all levels and in all sports –
from football to cricket, and rugby to horse racing. It's the charity's job to identify, train, place, resource and network trained clergy from all denominations who are suited to bring
quality chaplaincy involvement into sport. “The work of a chaplain is part of the professional support structure for staff and players. It's not for all people all the time but, for some
people, in certain situations, the chaplain is a really vital member of staff,” the Rev explained.
There was a downside to spending so much time in Greece, however, as the Rev missed the
start of the |Premiership and Champions League seasons. “It's been frustrating being away in Athens during the vital pre-season period,” he said. “It is usually a good time to get to know
new staff and players, and that has been restricted this year. However, I've flown the flag for United in Athens, and many people were fascinated that the Reds have a chaplain. I explain
I'm there to provide confidential pastoral and spiritual support ... not to pray for success! And their reaction is always very positive.”
After working in the Athletes' Village at the Olympic Games, John had a short break before
taking up a similar role for the Paralympics. And, although he's been working 10-hour days and missing Manchester, the Rev is proud to have been involved in the Games. “It's not often
someone like me gets asked to participate in world event chaplaincy work and it's been an honour and a privilege,” he said. “I did miss the regular contact with United while I was away,
but I knew I'd gone to Athens with the support and good wishes of folk from MUFC – some even promised to pray for 'the Rev'. Thanks for your support!”
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