Ambition

‘What keeps me going is goals.’

Muhammad Ali

‘Do you know that in a race all runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may achieve it.’

(1 Cor 9:24)

Application

‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.’

(Colossians 3:23-24)

‘Many people say I’m the best woman soccer player in the world. I don’t think so. And because of that, someday I just might be.’

Mia Hamm

Care for Others

‘Physical exercise and sport… can help to foster friendly relations between peoples of classes, countries and races.’

(Gaudium et Spes, n.61)

‘People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defences, or the problems of modern society.’

Vince Lombardi

Curiosity

‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’

(Matthew 6:33-34)

‘You need to put a plan in place. Also, it’s important to understand the ‘aggregation of marginal gains’ …how small improvements in a number of different aspects of what we do can have a huge impact to the overall performance of the team.’

Sir David Brailsford

Gratitude

‘Glorify god in your body.’

(1 Cor 6:20)

‘I always had the philosophy which I got from my father. He used to say: “Listen. God gave you a gift to play football This is your gift from God. If you take care of your health, if you are in good shape all the time, with your gift from God no one will stop you, but you must be prepared.”’

Pele

Grit

‘Run towards the finish line to receive a prize to which God calls (you) on high.’

(Phil 3:14)

‘I’ve worked hard over the years, I’ve been injured and I’ve worked hard through it, and I’ve made it.’

Usain Bolt

Moral Courage

‘I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.’

(Psalm 3:6)

‘I adapted an antiquated style and modernized it to something that was efficient. I didn’t know anyone else in the world would be able to use it and I never imagined it would revolutionize the event.’

Dick Fosbury

Resilience

‘Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself?’

(Philippians 3:21)

‘If you think you can’t, you won’t, and if you think you can, you will. When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired, and I can push through. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.’

Kellie Wells

Self-control

‘Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wealth, but we are imperishable.’

(1 Cor 9:25)

‘We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination and dedication, self-discipline, and effort.’

Jesse Owens

Self-direction

‘But earnestly desire the higher gifts.’

(1 Cor 12:31)

‘We always spend more time on the throwing events and a little bit more on the long jump. They’re my weaker events – they don’t come as naturally to me as running and juming. I like the hurdles and the high-jump; I’m a springy, speedy athlete so those suit me.’

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Sense of Humour

‘Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”’

(Psalm 126:2)

‘I quit school in the sixth grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn’t spell it.’

Rocky Graziano

Zest

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

(Joshua 1:9)

‘The medals don’t mean anything and the glory doesn’t last. It’s all about your happiness. The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is loving the sport and having fun performing.’

Jackie Jayner Kersee