The Sports Plus story began in 1994 under the name Adventure Plus, and the vision was born then – to disciple young sports-people. The first official summer camp for young sportspeople took place at Cokethorpe School in 1995 and the vision for them remains the same.
For 25 years, Christians in Sport have been organising residential sports camps for young people who are serious about sport and play regularly in a club and team. These camps are designed as a way for a young person to improve in their sport whilst exploring more about the Christian faith and what it means to be a Christian sports player.
Amazing what God has done
The first camp director, Dave Willis, Pastor at Orrell Park Baptist Church in Liverpool, remembers the first camp well: ‘We had around 30 young people in 1995,’ said Dave. ‘There was no such thing as just doing one role – coach or a leader – you were supportive in all the roles, even the sandwich making and table preparations as it was all self-catering! It was very small beginnings and it’s amazing to look at what God has done. It’s a real joy for me.’
By 2005, there were camps in all four home countries and the camps expanded into Jersey in 2015. Last year, across six Sports Plus camps, 674 young people were coached by highly experienced coaches, to help them improve in their sport, and throughout the day over 400 leaders were involved in helping the young people to understand more about the Christian faith and its impact on their sport.
At the start of this year it was announced that, from 30 June to 5 July, Sports Plus will be making its debut in Ireland at St Columba’s College, Dublin. Christians in Sport will be making use of the super sporting and residential facilities to offer four core sports: Cricket, Gaelic Football, Hockey, and Rugby. For many years, hundreds of sportspeople in Northern Ireland have come to camps, but this will be the first time working in the South.
Sports Plus Director, Ian Lancaster said: ‘I’m really excited about the prospect of Dublin Sports Plus, hosted by the wonderful St Columba’s College. We’re hoping this gains great momentum as we seek to serve churches and reach the world of sport across Ireland for Christ.’
Sport is huge in Ireland
Steve Vaughan, pastor at Christ City Church, Dublin said: ‘Sport is huge in Ireland; it’s one of the defining features of Irish life, so I am delighted Christians in Sport will be hosting their first Sports Plus camp here and I look forward with great excitement and anticipation to what God will do this summer and in the years to come through these camps, as we seek to engage the Irish sportsperson with the gospel.’
