Anglican Communion News Service

By Ramon Williams

Sydney, 26 September 2000

The Anglican churches at Menai and Sutherland, in Sydney's southern suburbs, really know how to organise and present sports outreaches in their areas. St Paul's Anglican Church Menai and St John's Sutherland held Sports Outreach programs and attracted folk from outside the church to show something of their interest in the local communities and the possibilities available through sports for the young people.

St Paul's held a Sports Outreach Games Day on Saturday, September 23, in Prince Edward Park, Woronora and provided a sausage sizzle, fun and lots of entertainment for the families that came along.

Youngsters were shown how to use discus, Rugby balls and volleyballs. The Revd Robert Barrie was thankful for the presence of three young lady volleyball experts from the United States. Associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, "Sue" from Portland, Oregon, "Becca", from Atlanta, Georgia and "Lauren" from New York each contributed their expertise and knowledge in this special outreach to the young boys and girls who appreciated their tuition and words of testimony.

Nearby, the Revd Rod Harding and St John's Anglican Church, Sutherland, enjoyed a Basketball Sports Challenge, held in the Sutherland Basketball Stadium.

The special guest was basketballer Andrew Horstman of the "Stirling Senators" in Perth. Andrew explained he was Sports Chaplain at the Warwick Leisure Centre and enjoyed his time helping team mates with their game and spiritual problems.

A member of the Warwick Church of Christ, his Christian testimony involvement had resulted in him volunteering to come to Sydney to assist Quest More Than Gold Sports Clinics. Since arriving he has enjoyed his time helping young people in Redfern, young hopefuls in Tamworth and of course the Sutherland area young people.

He believes that denominational groupings do not matter that much when we have a common love for the Lord. It's that love that is his purpose in assisting in every way possible at such Sports Clinics, sharing his love for his Lord and his sport.