10 July 2017
Giving children a sporting chance
Posted in Camp life / Sports Ministry
The half-time siren has sounded on a successful start to the year for SU QLD’s burgeoning Sports Ministry.
As the team gears up for an exciting second half, let’s catch up on some of the early highlights with SU QLD Sports Ministry Coordinator, Jeff Howard.
“We had a great start to the year with up to 200 players competing in our Touch Footy Community Cup and a further 150 enjoyed an amazing day out for the Rebounders Volleyball tournament in May,” Jeff says.
The period also saw the ongoing rollout of the Pray, Play, Say training program. The team welcomed Brisbane Broncos chaplain Pastor Bill Hunter at the gathering.
Another exciting development was the launch of the first SU QLD Sports Day Camp at Arana Hills for children in years 5-7.
Volunteer SU QLD Sports Camp Leader and QUT Research Scientist, Derek Van Lonkhuyzen, says his first SU Sports Camp experience left him very interested for more.
“As a dad myself, I got my kids involved. It’s just a great opportunity to get them outside and active, interacting with people instead of a screen,” he says.
But more than that, Derek, who ran the cricket elective, says the camp distinguishes itself because of its spiritual input.
“The kids are learning about the need to consider how they play the game and how that impacts on them as a person.
“So the games are played in the right spirit and certainly Jesus was mentioned in that. The kids learned about being part of a team and how life is best lived when you play as a team member,” Derek says.
Community support for the three-day event was strong with volunteers from a local church handling food duties, local sports clubs – including the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Firebirds Netball team – donated equipment, while the Arana League’s Club pitched in for the end-of-week BBQ. 96.5 Family Radio was also on hand with free giveaways.
For Derek, the experience was fantastic, and he’s keen for more.
“I would definitely encourage anyone to join in. It’s a lot of fun. But it’s also an opportunity to invest in our children, our future generation.
“There are a lot of negatives that kids face today so to be part of this, it’s really meaningful because you’re investing something positive into these young lives,” he says.
If you’d like to learn more about getting involved or supporting the SU QLD Sports Ministry, email Jeff at jeffh@suqld.org.au or phone 0449 928 405.
