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2013 Prayer Calendar - DecemberDecember 2013 - Sport and RecreationIndustry BackgroundSector Skills in Australia - Sport, Recreation and Fitness: www.serviceskills.com.au/sites/default/files/SportFitnessRecreation12.pdfDefinition of SportSport is defined as activities that involve physical exertion and involve organised competition based on formal rules or patterns of behaviour. Employment in sport is organised at a variety of levels and most organisations within sport operate on a not-for-profit basis. Sport administrative organisations undertake the administration and determination of the policies, rules and regulations governing the conduct of an individual sporting discipline. These associations and organisations exist at the national, state and regional/district level. Beyond the administrative level, the actual undertaking of organised sport occurs in clubs. Individual sports clubs are involved in the performance of sport at the level of general participation up to elite level. Sports administration organisations are generally not-for-profit organisations that are listed as public companies limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act (2001). Sporting clubs are generally incorporated as associations under a state Associations Incorporation Act. This implies that the club or sporting organisation is a legal entity separated from its members, requiring governance structures, such as a committee or board. However, sport and recreation is also supported by the work involved in maintaining the indoor and outdoor venues and facilities. In addition, participation in sport is facilitated at all levels by the coaching and officiating of sports. As a significant public service, a considerable amount of the administrative component of sports is also delivered through state government departments. Finally, the Australian Sports Commission is the central administrative and advocacy body at the national level. Definition of RecreationRecreation is defined as activities that require physical exertion, but are predominantly engaged in for the purpose of enjoyment. However, it should be noted that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not differentiate between sport and recreation. There is also a distinction between community and outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation involves physical activity that is undertaken in the outdoors, and as such, has unique requirements. This includes activities such as kayaking, bushwalking, skiing and mountain bike riding. As a result, this has links with what could be termed 'adventure' activities. Conversely, community recreation refers to the administrative and operational roles involved in recreation at the community level. This covers the activities in community-managed recreation facilities or clubs, often run by not-for-profit organisations, such as the YMCA, or by local councils. A significant proportion of the activity in this sector occurs in aquatics and for this reason, the recently revised training package distinguishes this area. As a community activity, recreation also receives a great deal of support from local and state government departments. Sport and Recreation in NSW Government'Sport and Recreation' is part of the Office of Communities, a division of the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Website: www.dsr.nsw.gov.au The purpose of this department is to assist the people of NSW participate in sport and recreation, and their vision is of a community that uses sport and recreation to improve its well being. The Department recognises that there's more to sport that just playing it. Sport and recreation play a vital role in binding our communities together, and participation in physical activity creates a broad range of benefits for all members of the community. Some of the key roles of this deparmtment include:
Reflection and Meditation to pray for Sport and RecreationWe thank God who gives us the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! [1 Corinthians 15:57] "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." [1 Timothy 4:8 NIV] Christians who seek to use sports and recreation in missions can look to this verse to help in getting priorities. The body is the "temple of the Holy Spirit" and must not be neglected, but our ministry has eternity in view. The Apostle Paul makes an analogy between athletic training and spiritual training in several passages of scripture. He also encourages Christians to meet people at their point of need or interest in order to win them to Christ: "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means..." (I Corinthians 9:22 NIV). Read about Paul's comparison of athletic and spiritual training: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 2:5, Galatians 2:2, and Philippians 3:13-14. Read also Hebrews 12:1-2 and Psalms 119:32. Lord you tell us to "seek the welfare of the city where [You] have sent us into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare we will find our welfare." [Jeremiah 29:7 ESV]
You've promised that "when it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown." [Proverbs 11:10-11 ESV] Praying for Sport and RecreationPrayers for Recreation Venues:
Money and drugs have always been part of sports and games, especially at the highest levels. Even the ancient Greek and Roman Olympics were rife with them, as well as other kinds of corruption, including gambling, event-fixing and cheating.
We pray for the activities that the Government provide in Sport and Recreation
We pray for the 11 Sport and Recreation Centres, located at:
International sporting centres:
We pray for all Sport and Recreation Chaplains and Christian organisations who are involved in spreading the Gospel in these areas. Pray for the NSW Minister of Sport and Recreation -
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