In previous columns, we have shared some of the ways we support Christians involved in elite sport.
But to make the grade as adults, these sports-people will have been identified and trained from a young age. Imagine the emotional involvement of parents… ‘She’s done it. She’s made the British team for the world junior championships. How amazing is that! All that sacrifice has paid off. We almost feel like we’ve been selected ourselves.’
On the other hand… ‘He came so close. We really thought they’d give him a professional contract. For all those years, he seemed to have been one of the star players but, just like that, only three made the cut and he wasn’t one of them. It was agony for all of us.’
Professional footballers need the church, too
Every World Cup produces moments that capture global attention; a dramatic goal, a surprise result or an unforgettable individual performance …