In all sports, illustrated graphically in Rugby at this present time, there is a changing of the guard.
Sometimes it is due to results, such as the World Cup Australian Wallaby Coach who stood down as day after losing the qualifying match for the semi-final.
Sometimes it is the end of an era, like the Manchester United EPL Coach having won all there was to win, and getting on a bit, moved on.
Sometimes the administration of a sport has come to its natural end and it’s time for fresh blood.
Sometimes it is due to a whole new set of IT aspects that have come into a sport, and this requires a different type of skills at the helm.
Sometimes, it is nothing more than there are other options available for a coach and travel has becomes an issue for family reasons.
The associated aspects of a changing of the guard in sport is as myriad as are the options, and then it is left to find appropriate people to fill those roles.
Who will be the new Wallaby coach?
Who replaces the Olympic head or the Australian Rugby League with the current chairman standing down.
These are vital questions for any sport in the process of changing of the guard. The nature of how it happens is also critical. In some situations there will be tears and heartache. In other cases, release and good-will.
This too is a major part of how the changing of the guard takes place. There is need for careful analysis, right and correct financial procedures, the family, indeed a pastoral response,
This happens of course in every institution – not only sport. Big business, the Corporate Sector, the entire Education sector, Politics, the school P&C, the local sports club, Music and Entertainment, and the Church and Missions. There are innumerable considerations in any changing of the guard.
Sport is particularly focused in all its facets, as it is squarely based on winning. In business, there is the activity of production, marketing, sales as part of the engagement, but in sport there is one goal and that goal is the central focus.
A changing of the guard therefore has a focused impact. Chaplains in Sport have an incredible role in this.
Josh Hinds is a school chaplain and an experienced international sport writer, now in his 9th year as a Christian Today sport writer.
Josh Hinds is a school chaplain and an experienced international sport writer, now in his 9th year as a Christian Today sport writer.
