It’s quite handy that Reverend Jim Dayhew is a self-declared sports enthusiast, competitor and coach.
About a year ago he was appointed non-denominational chaplain at the South West Sydney Academy of Sport as it ramped up wellbeing support programs for athletes and coaches in response to the pandemic.
“I’m not sure if we will ever get used to living in this new normal, but as most of us get along as best we can we discover that we are in fact adaptable and more resilient than we realise,’’ says Rev Dayhew.
“For us involved in the sporting community, we get the opportunity to reflect on our value and purpose as a person, and not just as an athlete.”
The academy recently introduced a program for athletes and coaches called 3Dimensional Athlete.
Rev Dayhew reckons even the wider community could benefit from it.
Its suggestions include:
- Keep up your daily exercise, go for a walk or a ride;
- Set up a home circuit using everyday equipment from around the house;
- Join an online fitness group;
- Give yourselves a push up or sit up challenge;
- Ask for drills from your coach, practice the core skills of your sport in the backyard;
- Do what you can to keep developing, and to release those feel good endorphins;
- Keep your mind and emotional skills positive.
“Lockdown is a chance to think about what is beneath the surface of your daily activities and your athletic performance,’’ says Rev Dayhew.
“We may well realise the connection between our mind and our body, but how often do we attend to this?
“During lockdown, find some things you can enjoy. It does not need to be related to who wins, but the pure enjoyment that being lost in an activity can provide,’’ he says.
“This is a necessary correction to much sport these days, where winning is the main goal and enjoyment can be lost, particularly for the more talented and dedicated sportsperson.
“Sport is powerful, as it reveals and forms character, identity, purpose, self-worth, significance, and value,’’ Rev Dayhew said.
For enquiries visit www.swsas.org.au or phone the academy on 4627 7622.
