The works in question cover such an area as sports psychology, which is still developing and improving. Many sports teams are increasingly resorting to the help of specialists in the fields of psychology and spirituality. In this context, psychology is considered not only as a solution to current problems but also as a spiritual part of an athlete’s life. The major themes in the chapters evolve around the idea of the necessity to eliminate the stereotypes about sports chaplains and psychologists’ roles in professional sports (Nesti, 2016). Moreover, the chapters particularly emphasize the need of integrating faith and spirituality as consulted by chaplains into the field of sports psychology (Egli & Fisher, 2016). Both chapters specifically articulate the challenges associated with such integration and outline beneficial athletes’ performance and wellbeing outcomes as a result of chaplainship.
Sports chaplains are significantly underestimated these days because their role is most often played by sports psychologists when they try to get closer to players with the help of religion. The article’s author reveals in detail the advantages of this position in sports teams (Egli & Fisher, 2016). It is beneficial to receive such information to understand how valuable it is in the sports world now. Most of the players are religious (Catholics and Muslims predominate), and therefore they need to have a person in the team to whom they can confess, talk about their problems, and pray (Nesti, 2016). When it is possible to reach a certain spiritual level between an athlete and a chaplain, their work begins to bear fruit and positively affect the results of the athlete and the team as a whole. My fundamental position is that a chaplain can only be a church person who understands the spiritual needs of an athlete better and can work with him most effectively.
A detailed explanation of the importance of maintaining the spirituality of the athletes deepened my interest in this field. After reading the chapters, I was able to understand the underestimated benefits of the chaplain’s professional roles in sports. Therefore, the readings helped me strengthen my intentions to pursue this field professionally. In such a manner, I will be able to contribute to the quality of chaplainship in professional sports and make a difference by advancing this important profession. a more detailed deepening of this issue.
References
Egli, T. J. & Fisher L. A. (2016). Moving toward a faithful relationship. Sport psychology consultants speak about the potential of engaging with spirituality in consultation. In Sports Chaplaincy (pp. 170-181). Routledge.
Nesti, M. (2016). Serving the spirit? The sport psychologist and the chaplain in English Premiership Football. In Sports Chaplaincy (pp. 158-169). Routledge.