You are more than your achievements
Graham Daniels
When Erik ten Hag became the manager of Manchester United in April 2022, it must have felt like the high point in an already impressive playing and managing career. How differently must he feel today?
It must be tough enough looking into the stands and seeing the three 'Sirs' - Alex Ferguson, Jim Radcliffe, and David Brailsford - keeping a watchful eye on his match-day performances. Then there are the TV pundits, the mainstream media and millions on social media who assess his results daily. Who can imagine receiving the criticism he has to endure?
sport watch
It's becoming normal to have God in a squad
Graham Daniels
'We don't do God,' Alastair Campbell famously interjected when Tony Blair, as prime minister, was once asked about his faith. British sport has never really done God, either.
Historically, many British players and coaches have lacked the confidence of, say, their Brazilian peers to openly wear their faith on their T-shirts or even talk about Jesus Christ.
What sport reveals about your desperate need
Graham Daniels
Last month, one of my grandchildren participated in an end-of-term preschool egg and spoon race. I observed three types of competitors among the four-year-olds:
- The child who ran as fast as possible, not caring about keeping the egg on the spoon and dropping the egg multiple times.
- The diligent, rule-abiding child who walked quickly while ensuring the egg stayed on the spoon.
- The risk-taker who sprinted while quietly holding the spoon in a way that allowed them to rest a thumb on the egg.
If you're wondering, 'thumb girl' won the race. There was no VAR.
A reflection on Southgate’s England: people before players
Graham Daniels
So, England are in the final of the Euros and Gareth Southgate is being praised by the nation's football pundits and fans. Popular opinion shifts quickly. Last week's pauper has become this week's prince.
England's Euro 2024 campaign has been a remarkable journey, a testament to the team's resilience. They stealthily advanced into the final, overcoming their underperformance in the earlier matches. Their journey, filled with moments of brilliance, is a source of inspiration and pride for the nation. The secret to their success? Southgate's approach of treating his squad as men, not machines.
Field of Dreams
The parents’ rollercoaster
Graham Daniels
In previous columns, we have shared some of the ways we support Christians involved in elite sport.
But to make the grade as adults, these sports-people will have been identified and trained from a young age. Imagine the emotional involvement of parents… ‘She’s done it. She’s made the British team for the world junior championships. How amazing is that! All that sacrifice has paid off. We almost feel like we’ve been selected ourselves.’
Field of Dreams
Supporting the elite?
Graham Daniels
Last month, we saw how Olympian Adam Pengilly found his identity in Christ.
He did this in the face of great disappointment. Adam is one of hundreds of elite athletes supported by Christians in Sport over the years, and today this focus remains a key part of our work. We have a team who support elite athletes across more than 34 sports, while focusing on nine, specifically to build a deep and sustainable work within them.
