Every week, millions of Australians gather at local sporting clubs. For many people, the sporting club is one of the few remaining places where authentic community exists, and where life’s greatest joys and deepest challenges are experienced.

Community sport therefore represents one of Australia’s largest and most accessible mission fields, and one of the most significant avenues for pastoral care, evangelism, and leadership development.

In partnership with Sports Chaplaincy Australia, ACOM is launching a Sports Chaplaincy Internship. Students will participate as part of a national cohort, enrolling in a 4-unit Undergraduate Certificate in Ministry or a Graduate Certificate in Arts, with a focus on Sports Chaplaincy.

Where possible, students are encouraged to be placed in sports clubs they are already involved with and known. Others will be placed in clubs with experienced chaplains for support and mentoring. Through these placements, students will develop skills in pastoral care, evangelism, leadership and community engagement while serving alongside a local church and sporting club, supported by academic study through ACOM and practical ministry formation through Sports Chaplaincy Australia.

Students are required to be deeply connected to their local church throughout their internship, as a place of support and encouragement. ACOM will work with a student’s local church to ensure they find a Ministry Supervisor and Mentor to support them in their journey. Students can continue their study journey towards a Diploma, Bachelor or Master’s qualification.

Sports Chaplaincy interns will journey through the year as a cohort, studying the same units and connecting regularly through online classes. 

Trimester 1: Introduction to Chaplaincy
Trimester 2: Equipping for Evangelism
Trimester 3: Scripture in Community and Mission
Yearlong: Supervised Ministry 1

By the end of the year, interns will have completed an Undergraduate Certificate in Ministry or a Graduate Certificate in Arts.