The Christians in Sport Podcast Christians in Sport

John Bostock debuted for Crystal Palace at just 15 years old, still their youngest-ever first-team player. He signed for Spurs a year later but his career wasn't straightforward, spending years on loan and playing abroad. 

He came to faith as a teenager and, in 2015, founded Ballers in God, an organisation that aims to disciple professional football players and to make Jesus known in the world of football. 

Danno caught up with John at Notts County's ground, Meadow Lane to talk to him about his career as a professional player, and his mission to share the good news of Jesus in the world of football through Ballers in God.

Find out more about Ballers in God 👉 https://ballersingod.com

(0:00) Intro
(2:55) How do you connect your sport and faith?
(4:35) How is normal for you to be a Christian and a pro football player?
(6:19) How did you become a Christian?
(7:54) How becoming a Christian quickly transformed John 
(12:29) Growing in church and learning to love the Bible
(16:05) Moving to Spurs at 16, going on loan, and faith deepening through hardship
(23:09) Being rebuilt and moving to Belgium
(24:15) Christian mentors within football as a young player
(28:15) How Ballers in God came to be
(32:28) Managing time and the power of prayer
(35:20) Coping with 6 months without a contract in the UK
(36:28) Landing at Notts County and helping them back into the EFL
(41:05) What's the future for Ballers in God?

Jenny Tait is an Australian volleyball player, earning 66 caps for the Volleyroos indoor team as well as playing for Campbell University in the NCAA and at the top level in Europe. Jenny retired in 2020 and is now studying theology at Moore College in Sydney. 

Danno caught up with Jenny to talk about her career in elite sport and her passion to continue working alongside Christian elite athletes now she's retired.

(0:00) Intro
(2:20) How do you connect your sport and faith?
(2:55) What were your career highlights?
(4:05) How did you get into volleyball?
(5:19) How long did it take to start performing at an elite level?
(9:20) How did you become a Christian?
(13:11) What was church like as a new Christian and when you went home?
(14:50) How did faith in Christ change your sport?
(16:54) Identity, imposter syndrome, and the pressure of elite sport.
(23:48) Retiring and working to support athletes' mental health
(25:37) How has it been sharing faith in your sport?
(27:40) Moving on to theological college, and hopes for future ministry

Alison Nicholas is a British golfer who reached the pinnacle of the sport in a highly successful career as both a player and then later on as the captain of a victorious Solheim Cup winning team in 2011. In a fascinating interview with Graham Daniels, she talks about what it looks like to be a successful leader and coach in elite sport and how her faith has helped her throughout her golfing career.

(0:00) Intro
(1:09) How Alison got into golf 
(3:00) Progressing and joining the ladies European tour 
(4:32) The key influencers in Alison's life and golf at the top level
(5:55) Coming to Christ through golfers on the European tour
(18:36) Stepping up to join the LPGA tour and playing in the states 
(11:01) Winning the US open 
(13:30) Being ruthless in competition with dignity 
(15:03) Captaining The Solheim Cup and tough decisions 
(17:20) Captaining for the second time
(20:45) Rigorous leadership
(24:42) The contrast between leading and playing 
(27:59) Winning the Solheim Cup
(29:25) Outro

Starting university is a really significant transition in life. It can be daunting, unpredictable and challenging as you move from home and look to join a new sports club. Here's six top tips to help you settle in well.

0:00 Intro
0:22 Today's question
0:48 Answer
1:14 Join a church
2:10 Follow Jesus from day one
2:50 Be committed to your sports club
3:32 Be ready for initiations and socials
4:35 Make disciples
5:10 Pray

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off we revisit a conversation with Garin Jenkins recorded in 2016. Garin is a former Welsh rugby union player capped 58 times by his country. He played in three World Cups and multiple Five and Six Nations tournaments.

In conversation with Graham Daniels, he tells us about his battle with misdirected passion and aggression on the rugby field and how his growing faith remained steady as he endured massive ups and downs both on the pitch and off it.

(00:00) Introduction
(01:54) How Garin found out he'd won his first international cap
(03:30) Making it to the international stage but feeling lost
(04:50) Misdirected passion on the field and the battle for discipline
(07:36) Garin's challenging upbringing and first steps of faith in God
(09:24) A family disaster at a huge match against Cardiff
(13:07) What it's like to realise you're playing at the top-level of sport
(16:27) Reflections from Graham Daniels on the interview.

As a Christian sportsperson, what should you prioritise as you leave university behind and join the world of work?

0:00 Intro
0:22 Today's question
0:38 A significant transition
1:02 Find a church
1:58 Find a club
2:49 Be bold
3:09 Team Up
3:34 Be patient
3:56 Pray