JO KADLECEK speaks with Jim Dayhew who recently became executive director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes: FCA 360 Sports Australia…
A former Rugby League and cricket player and coach, teacher and pastor, Jim Dayhew recently became executive director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes: FCA 360 Sports Australia, a new organisation that is part of a “transformational global sports movement serving coaches and athletes.”
This year, the US-founded ministry of FCA celebrates its 70th anniversary and now operates in 116 nations. Dayhew calls his new appointment, “the culmination of a lifetime of experiences, training, and passion”.
Jim Dayhew. PICTURE: Supplied
You have over 30 years as a practitioner and leader in education, pastoral ministry, and school and sport chaplaincy. Which specific experiences best prepared you for this new role?
“I graduated as a physical education teacher but for the next decade served with Power to Change (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and Scripture Union. In both, I worked with uni students, athletes, children and youth, churches, schools, and sporting clubs. The Sydney Olympic Games More Than Goldoutreach and the beginning of KidsGames, now a massive global movement, were influential for me. They showed me how staggering the reach of ministry in and through sport can be. Yet that reach is mostly unknown to the average Australian.
“I then had the itch to get into the classroom. I started as a PE, Christian studies and history teacher, and quickly moved into leadership roles in Christian studies and chaplaincy in Anglican schools. Throughout this time, I remained involved in sports and school programs, even launching a sports leadership development program. A couple of diversions included being ordained in the Anglican church, serving as a lead pastor, and most recently as dean of students at a Christian school in a multi-cultural inner-western suburb of Sydney.
“Because teaching is about relationships, you are daily meeting and responding to an array of individuals. It’s enriching but, at times, overwhelming. Connecting to the heart of a student, listening and understanding what makes them tick is key. COVID rocked so many students and revealed – or presented – new trauma for coaches and athletes as well who are often dealing with their own issues. That’s why we want to provide a 360 – or three-dimensional – approach that goes to their heart, purpose and character. This is where deep relationship and transformation can occur within a Gospel framework.”
Australians love all things sport, but people of faith don’t always see it as a positive opportunity. Why do you think that is?
“This question reflects the historic tensions between sacred and secular. For some churches, sport has been a welcome opportunity for fellowship and evangelism. For others, it’s a ‘non-Christian’s’ activity, reinforcing ‘ungodly’ values and a distraction to church. This remains a tension for many serious coaches and athletes to connect regularly to their churches.
“It certainly was for me when I was competing. The church was once favoured as a central institution of society but sadly, this is no longer the case. While the institutional church may be under increased scrutiny, individuals and families can do a great deal to remedy this in their grassroots and elite sporting contexts. Sports provides a context for engaging around life passions and growing meaningful relationships. FCA has a long history of helping athletes and coaches grow in their faith. Through training and resources, we’re able to engage, equip and empower churches, schools, individuals and families.”
This is an Olympics year. What are some challenges for Australian athletes and coaches?
“The 2024 Games may be the moment, the anticipated fulfilment of years of preparation. While we watch from a distance, we need to take a moment to appreciate what’s been required to reach the Games at all. Some athletes may be carrying injuries, issues around confidence, managing anxiety or mental health challenges. The fear of failure is present among many, as is the tendency towards a ‘performance-based identity’. This is not only for athletes, but all who base their worth on achievements. Christians can pray that those athletes who profess faith, such as Australian world champion high jumper Nicola Olysagers [McDermott], may bear witness to the difference a Christ-based identity can make. We want others to see that there is something worth more than gold.”
JIM DAYHEW – IN SHORT
Books on your bedstand? “The Good Sporting Life by Stephen Liggins; Being the Bad Guys by Stephen McAlpine; The Coach Approach by Mark Stephens”
Verses you come back to? “Psalm 46:1; Matthew 28:18-20: Revelation 21:1-5”
What are some of hopeful things happening in sport across Australia?
“When I played Rugby League and was concussed, the expectation was just to tough it out, get up, and go on. Thirty-five years later, the care of athletes is paramount, driven by concerns around CTE in American football and similar evidence in other contact sports. The wholistic wellbeing needs of athletes is now foremost in the support and education of athletes. All major sports have wellbeing staff. Chaplains form a part of this team and FCA is in conversation with some sporting bodies and professional clubs about how we can be a part of this. We hope to earn the right to share Gospel in these environments. And the spiritual beliefs of athletes are also gaining greater attention. A recent research project identified spirituality as the number one factor in the wellbeing of NRL Pasifika-origin athletes. This provides FCA a wonderful opportunity to care for athletes.”
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Worst and best advice about leadership you’ve received?
“The worst advice would be that there is no leadership potential here – everyone has been gifted for service in the work of God’s Kingdom! Great advice is to establish respectful and trusting relationships. You don’t need to be best friends, but it’s nearly impossible to function without the foundation of mutual respect and trust.”
FCA 360 Sports Australia. PICTURE: Supplied
Given your experiences, what still gets you up in the morning?
“I spend quite a bit of time dreaming of what FCA can do to transform coaches and athletes (and the world) through Jesus Christ. While this is the FCA vision, it’s my vision too. I believe God can do more than we can imagine, and I’m excited to be a part of what he is doing in Australia and around the world.”
What insights or advice would you give now to yourself in your first year of service?
“Patience! It’s tempting to want things to happen quickly, but there is so much set up required that is essential for long-term work to succeed.”
For more info on FCA 360 Sports Australia: [email protected]
Correction: Jim Dayhew’s role has been clarified in both the headline and introduction.
