FLS - Faith Life Sport

Graeme Burrill

0.0 (0)
Sports
Updated Biweekly

Conversations with past and present Christians in sport. Hearing from them about their faith, life and sport

May 10

FLS Podcast | Best of Season 4, Part 2: Heazlewood, Tongue & Gupta

In this special Best Of episode of the FLS Podcast, we bring together three powerful conversations with athletes from different sports, all sharing their journeys of faith, perseverance, and purpose. We hear from Sunshine Coast surfer Reef Heazlewood, who has risen from riding waves as a toddler to competing on the world stage, including a win at the 2025 Taiwan Open of Surfing. Reef opens up about making his faith his own at 18 and how it shapes his life on tour — through the highs, lows, and opportunities to connect with others. Former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue joins us for an honest and inspiring chat about his rugby league journey, the sacrifices it took to reach the NRL, and how his Christian faith guided him throughout his career and continues to influence his life after football. We also sit down with rising NSW cricketer Ryan Gupta, a promising young talent in the Blues Academy. Ryan shares how his love for cricket began, the moment his faith became personal during high school, and how he balances pursuing professional sport while following Jesus. Three athletes. Three unique journeys. One unifying message of faith in sport and life. Check out Reef's website and his support of the organisation International Needs - reefmakeswaves.raiselysite.com For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com Send the FLS team a message via Facebook or Instagram

51 min
Apr 26

Best of Season 4: Three Powerful Stories of Faith in Sport

In this special “best of” episode of the FLS Podcast, we revisit three powerful conversations from Season 4. Hear from husband-and-wife duo Manasa and Martha Mataele as they share their journey through professional rugby and rugby league, grounded in a shared Christian faith. New Zealand freeride skier Luke McConnell opens up about living out his faith on the slopes, while Matt Ellis reflects on a life shaped by cricket, ministry, and serving regional communities. Three unique stories, one common thread—faith shaping life, purpose, and sport. To follow Luke on Instagram - instagram.com/lukemcconnell.nz/?hl=en Take a listen to Matt's Cricket Podcast - The Cricket Library - shorturl.at/cuFjP All take a look at his You Tube Channel - youtube.com/@CricketLibraryPodcast For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com

1h 4m
Apr 12

More Than Surfing: Faith & Life on Tour with Reed Heazlewood

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, we’re joined by Sunshine Coast surfer Reef Heazlewood, whose journey from riding waves as a toddler to competing on the WSL Challenger and Qualifying Series—including a win at the 2025 Taiwan Open of Surfing—has been driven by passion and perseverance. Reed also shares his personal faith story, how it became his own at 18, and the role it plays in navigating life on tour, from competition highs and lows to leading Bible studies and connecting with fellow surfers. Check out Reef's website and his support of the organisation International Needs - reefmakeswaves.raiselysite.com For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com Send the FLS team a message via Facebook or Instagram

26 min
Mar 29

More Than the Game: Dayne Weston’s Story of Faith and Resilience

A Goulburn junior, Dayne progressed through the Wollongong ranks before making his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2007, later playing for the Storm, Panthers and Cowboys, and finishing his career in the UK. He opens up about his struggles with depression and anxiety, a challenging period in his life, and how teammate David Simmons sharing his faith with him had a significant impact and helped him find purpose. Now a firefighter, Dayne shares a powerful story of resilience and turning his life around. To listen to Dayne's podcast - open.spotify.com/show/0zCOSf47QalOlwuir5Zqme For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com Send the FLS team a message via Facebook or Instagram

30 min
Mar 15

Brad Thorn: Faith, Footy & the Mindset of a Champion

Brad Thorn was one of the toughest and most respected players on the football field. He competed at the highest level in both rugby league and rugby union, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia in rugby league, before switching codes to enjoy a successful rugby union career. During his time in union, Brad played for several years at the elite level and was part of the legendary New Zealand All Blacks team that won the Rugby World Cup. In this episode of FLS, Graeme sits down with Brad to reflect on his remarkable playing career, his transition into coaching, and the role faith has played throughout his life. Brad also discusses his newly released book, Champions Do Extra, which shares insights into his career, family upbringing, and personal journey of faith. From attending Sunday School while growing up in New Zealand to the development of his Christian faith—strengthened by the influence of a teammate during an overseas tour—Brad speaks openly about the experiences that have shaped both his life and leadership. To check out Brad's new book - harpercollins.com.au/9781775493044/champions-do-extra-lessons-learned-in-footy-and-life-to-build-a-winning-mindset/ For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com Send the FLS team a message via Facebook or Instagram

1h 13m
Mar 1

Faith, Footy & the Green Machine: Alan Tongue Unfiltered

In this episode we’re joined by former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue for an honest and inspiring conversation about footy, faith and life after the game. Alan shares stories of growing up and playing rugby league in regional NSW, the journey and sacrifices it took to earn his opportunity in the NRL in the early 2000s, and wearing the Raiders jersey. We also dive into his Christian faith, how it shaped him during his playing career, and the work he’s now doing in his post-footy life. For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com

36 min
Feb 15

Faith in Action: Matt Ellis Serving Through Cricket

In this episode of the FLS Podcast, Graeme's catching up with Matt Ellis — a passionate follower of Jesus and lifelong cricket lover whose journey has taken some unexpected turns. Matt shares how his love for cricket began at just eight years old, and how that passion has remained a constant thread throughout his life. From starting out as an insurance salesperson, to stepping into church ministry, and now living and working in Western NSW, Matt reflects on how God has guided each stage of his journey. Today, Matt is helping spread the love of cricket across regional communities while also serving with Scripture Union — combining sport with the sharing of the good news of Jesus. Through cricket camps and community engagement, he’s creating spaces where young people can grow not just in their skills on the field, but in their understanding of faith. Take a listen to Matt's Cricket Podcast - The Cricket Library - shorturl.at/cuFjP All take a look at his You Tube Channel - youtube.com/@CricketLibraryPodcast For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com

48 min
Feb 1

Faith on the Slopes: Freeride Skier Luke McConnell

In this episode of the FLS Podcast we chat with Luke McConnell, a freeride skier from New Zealand. Luke shares openly about his Christian faith, how it shapes his life on and off the slopes, and the unique way he’s able to witness to others by wearing a cross on his helmet – making his faith visible every time he skis. To follow Luke on Instagram - instagram.com/lukemcconnell.nz/?hl=en For more interviews just like this, go to - faithlifesport.com

24 min

Conversations with past and present Christians in sport. Hearing from them about their faith, life and sport

Creator

Graeme Burrill
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

44
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Graeme Burrill
Show Website

FLS - Faith Life Sport